Liverpool FC are set to call goalkeeper Danny Ward back early from his season-long loan spell at Aberdeen, according to BBC Sport.
The 22-year-old has been a huge part of second-placed Aberdeen's success this season and reportedly made his final appearance in a 1-0 Scottish Cup defeat to Hearts on Saturday afternoon.
After back-up 'keeper Adam Bogdan's latest high-profile error, allowing Exeter City to score directly from a corner in their FA Cup third round draw with the Grecians at St James' Park, Jürgen Klopp has seen it fit to bring the Welshman back to Anfield.
Ward the fifth loan recall within last two weeks
Ward's recall is Liverpool's fifth within the last two weeks, with Ryan Kent, Sheyi Ojo, Tiago Ilori and Kevin Stewart all returning from loans and taking part in the Reds' 2-2 draw with Exeter on Friday night.
It is the latest evidence of Klopp overhauling the Reds' current system, with the German recently vowing to stop them loaning out their best young players after coming from Borussia Dortmund - whose youth talents were kept in the U23s, a team that operated in the Regionalliga West, the fourth-tier of German football and henceforth acting like League Two is to players from Barclays Premier League clubs sent out on loan.
It remains to be seen whether the manager's different approach will allow the club's youngsters to flourish, with Ojo, Kent and several others recently having high praise for the clubs which took them out on loan and allowed them to garner much-needed experience as opposed to playing in the uncompetitive and unchallenging U21s Barclays Premier League.
Ward leaves sizeable hole behind him at Aberdeen
Shot-stopper Ward, who has made four appearances for Wales' Under-21s, quickly became a firm fans' favourite at Pittodrie, keeping 11 clean sheets in 29 appearances and being a significant part of the side that won eight straight league games earlier in the season.
His loss will be a blow to the Dons as he leaves them sat three points behind leaders Celtic in the Scottish Premier League table, having missed none of their league games to this point.
But with Aberdeen having been knocked out of the UEFA Europa League in the third qualifying round, Ward is eligible to play in European football this season, meaning Klopp could consider him for their two-legged affair with FC Augsburg in February - whilst he could also feature in their FA Cup replay with Exeter in two weeks' time.
Ward hopeful of future first-team opportunities
His recall is likely to see him compete with Bogdan for the back-up goalkeeping spot and the opportunity is even there for him to challenge for first-choice goalkeeper Simon Mignolet's spot, with the Belgian's place between the sticks having become slightly uncertain given mistakes of his own this term.
An unused substitute for Wales' senior squad and a potential candidate for the squad that will travel to France for the UEFA European Championships this summer, Liverpool's Academy staff have high hopes for the well-regarded Ward, who proved himself a possible long-term choice for the No.1 spot on Merseyside with a series of strong, commanding performances in Scotland.
Having also been a regular in goal at Under-21 level in recent years, Ward recently called it his main aim to be the "Liverpool’s first choice" and took faith from the new five-year contract he was awarded before going out on loan, adding: "I took it to mean they think I have got a chance."