Liverpool are to recall goalkeeper Danny Ward from loan at Aberdeen six months early, the BBC has reported.
The 22-year-old was due to remain at Pittodrie until the summer but the arrangement allowed for him to be recalled from Jan. 1, an option that Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has now decided to exercise, the report stated.
Ward -- who signed a new, long-term contract with Liverpool last June -- revealed in December that he was eager to contest the No.1 jersey at Anfield next season upon his return, but the goalkeeping crisis at his parent club has brought forward that opportunity.
Simon Mignolet has drawn regular criticism, while Adam Bogdan did not inspire confidence when deputising away to Watford on Dec. 20 and in Friday's 2-2 FA Cup third-round draw at Exeter City, when he conceded a goal straight from a corner.
In contrast, Ward has earned rave reviews for his performances in the Scottish Premiership as the Dons, currently in second place, have mounted a surprise title bid.
He has been first choice, keeping 11 clean sheets in 29 appearances, and played in the 1-0 Scottish Cup defeat by Hearts on Saturday before being told to return south of the border.
The Wales under-21 goalkeeper, who has been on the bench for his country's full international side, joined the Reds from Wrexham, his hometown club, in January 2012. He was a member of the squad for the preseason tour to North America that summer.
After sitting on the Liverpool bench 19 times last season under Brendan Rodgers, he went on loan to League Two side Morecambe in March, before agreeing last summer to spend the season in Scotland.