Many loan periods have ended for Liverpool, and the immediate futures of several of them are now unknown.
Liverpool had to alter their original plans, and this month they will have to decide on the futures of numerous players.
After a challenging stint at League One club Wigan Athletic, James Balagizi became the fourth Reds player to be called up early from a season-long loan in the previous week on Thursday.
The 20-year-old Academy midfielder has only made seven league appearances for the Latics and hadn’t played since the team’s October 1st 2-1 loss at Burton Albion. He also saw a setback in his fitness last month and is still sidelined due to a hamstring issue.
Liverpoolhad already this week brought back Rhys Williams ahead of schedule after the 22-year-old centre-back failed to make a single matchday squad for the Scottish Premiership side.
And the duo followed Fabio Carvalho, who had his stay at RB Leipzig curtailed having made just three starts and played for only 360 minutes during his time in Germany.
With Nat Phillips also on his way back from a half-season stint in Scotland at Celtic, the Reds must now determine the next cause of action for all four players. Carvalho is already attracting interest from a number of clubs in both the Premier League and Championship regards another loan move, with Liverpool similarly open to allowing Phillips to depart again on a temporary basis.
Balagizi and Williams, though, may be better served from staying at Liverpool and gaining minutes with the under-21 side.
Owen Beck also had his loan spell at Scottish side Dundee ended early, although that is to provide extra cover for Liverpool at left-back following injuries to senior options Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas.
A total of 11 other players are out on loan, with Academy goalkeeper Luke Hewitson due to return this month from Stalybridge Celtic.
