Liverpool are sweating on whether Philippe Coutinho will return from international duty.
The Brazilian is said to be devastated at not being able to move to Barcelona during the transfer window.
Now the Reds face an anxious few days to see if the player boards a plane for the flight home from south America.
If he does, he will be expected back at Melwood to train ahead of next Sunday’s crunch lunchtime clash against Manchester City – and could, incredibly, be up for selection.
If not, boss Jurgen Klopp has a further problem on his hands with the issue escalating once more.
Liverpool’s current stance is that they have accepted he was injured – they are not questioning the integrity of Coutinho’s medics who have insisted he is suffering with a back injury.
However, after the Samba star played – and scored – against Ecuador, there is no reason for him not to board the flight home, unless he picks up another knock against Colombia on Tuesday.
Coutinho, along with club-mate Roberto Firmino, is expected back in the north-west immediately after the game in Barranquilla.
The two Reds’ stars will share a flight with compatriots such as Chelsea’s Willian and Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus immediately after the final whistle, the cost of which is shared between the the three clubs.
If he comes through that World Cup qualifier unscathed but decides to stay in South America, Liverpool will consider their options before making their next move.
The player will technically be in breach of his contract if he does not show up 48 hours after the final whistle blows in Barranquilla.
Any hope held by Coutinho and his representatives that a late move would be given the go-ahead were ended when the Spanish transfer window closed late on Friday night.
That has led to Coutinho’s Brazil team-mate Neymar revealing that the Liverpool star is “anguished” and “sad’ at not moving to the Nou Camp.
The playmaker, who was the reported subject of a mammoth £138million bid, will be accepted back into the fold by Klopp as, technically, he has done nothing wrong.
The club has accepted he had a medical complaint and has treated him as they would any other injured player.
Therefore, no apology is being sought by Klopp and, if given the go-ahead by the club’s medical team, he will be free to join in with training prior to the trip to the Etihad.
The German was asked if the issue would be over once the window closed and replied: ‘Let me be 100 per cent clear – nothing has changed.”
It appears then that Klopp will have no problem re-integrating Coutinho back into the group next week – and could even be in line for a recall at the Etihad - although it is likely the most he can expect is a spot on the bench following the four-goal thumping dished out to Arsenal.
It is understood that Coutinho’s behaviour at Melwood during the prospective deal did not affect the squad negatively and that no bridges were burnt between either him and Klopp or his colleagues as the drama unfolded.
That has left the door very much open for a quick return – now it remains to be seen if the player himself will walk through it.