Atletico Madrid have confirmed, via their official club wesbite, that defender Javier Manquillo is to return to Spain after Liverpool cut his loan deal short.
The right back, 21, arrived on Merseyside last summer after a two year loan deal had been agreed, but it has now been revealed that the two clubs have arranged for Manquillo to end his stay in England pre-maturely, and go home.
He becomes the second defender to leave Anfield in the past week, after Sebastian Coates completed a transfer to Sunderland.
Why have they ended the loan?
This move is largely thought to be down to the defender's lack of game time, with the original arrangement put in place in order for Manquillo to gain more playing time and experience a different league.
However, he made just 15 appearances in all competitions, as Brendan Rodgers' side laboured to a 6th placed finish in the Premier League, and didn't win a trophy.
The writing seemed to be on the wall around Christmas time, as Manquillo only made two appearances post new year, with Rodgers preferring Glen Johnson, Emre Can and even the likes of Jordon Ibe or Lazar Markovic as right-sided defenders, with Liverpool often playing a three man defence formation.
What next?
Liverpool are well stocked in terms of replacements for him, despite Glen Johnson having left on a free transfer. Nathaniel Clyne was signed from Southampton last week and will be the new number one right-back, whilst Joe Gomez and Andre Wisdom are set to provide cover for Clyne.
It remains to be seen whether Manquillo will spend next season at Atletico, but this does seem unlikely considering he wouldn't be first choice.
The Spanish club are likely to loan him out once more, possibly to a club in their own league, meaning that they could keep in communication with his new manager more easily.