Liverpool have curbed Fabio Carvalho’s season-long loan with RB Leipzig.
Carvalho joined the Bundesliga side in the summer after failing to force his way into Jurgen Klopp’s regular first-team plans in the previous campaign.
But the Portugual under-21 international is heading back to Anfield some six months ahead of schedule after being recalled by his parent club on Sunday.
A key factor in the decision is understood to be Carvalho’s lack of regular minutes, having made just two starts and 15 appearances in all competitions.
And Leipzig’s sporting director Rouven Schroder admitted that the 21-year-old’s temporary stay had failed to live up to both parties’ expectations.
He said: “Fabio was able to quickly integrate himself here.
“But both parties had expected more from his time here – especially Fabio in terms of his playing time.
“Due to the quality and competition within our squad at his position, we are unable to guarantee this for him.
“We held several discussions over the last days and in the end, decided to end his loan early. We would like to thank Fabio for his efforts at RBL and wish him all the best for the future.”