Cameron Brannagan appears to have an important part to play in Jürgen Klopp's first-team plans next season after Liverpool rejected an offer from Wigan Athletic for the young midfielder.
The 20-year-old, who has been at the club since the age of five, was the subject to an enquiry from the newly-promoted Championship side - but their interest has been firmly rebuffed.
The Reds have declared that Brannagan is not for sale, or available for loan, with Klopp likely to promote him to a regular in the senior squad after being pleased with his performances last season.
He made nine appearances last season, only three of which came in the Premier League, but impressed Klopp enough for the club to reject the advances of Wigan, who were reportedly willing to pay over £1 million for Brannagan.
He had to wait until the final day of the campaign, away at West Bromwich Albion, for his full league debut - but didn't look out of place. That first start triggered a clause in his contract to re-negotiate his contract terms.
Promising Brannagan to have progress rewarded
The two parties are likely to begin talks over the new few weeks with Brannagan expected to sign a new long-term deal that will increase his wages and generally put him on better terms.
Although the club are contracted to do so, it comes as a show of faith in Brannagan's abilities. Liverpool have lost Jordan Rossiter and Jerome Sinclair in the last few months, and look set to add Sergi Canos to that list, due to wage disputes.
One of the most highly-regarded graduates of the club's Academy, Brannagan will get the chance to make his mark across pre-season with a number of Klopp's midfield regulars still on international duty or their summer holidays.
With Emre Can and Joe Allen still at Euro 2016 with Germany and Wales, who have made the semi-finals, England duo Jordan Henderson and James Milner are not expected to report back for training for another two weeks.
As such, Brannagan - as well as Lucas Leiva, Pedro Chirivella, Kevin Stewart and Marko Grujic - are likely to get plenty of playing time. Ironically, Brannagan could face Wigan on July 17 when the Reds travel to the DW Stadium for the third of four domestic fixtures.
Brannagan recently gave up his No.32 shirt for summer signing Joel Matip, instead changing to No.25 for the 2016-17 season.