Bobby Duncan doesn't have to look very far for what can happen when switching from Liverpool to Italy.
The youngster completed a surprise transfer to Fiorentina on Monday in pursuit of the first-team opportunities he didn't believe would be forthcoming with the Reds.
He becomes the third Liverpool player to move to Serie A in the last 15 months.
Ragnar Klavan has become an established member of Cagliari's team and helped to steer them clear of relegation last season.
And then there's Emre Can.
The Germany international allowed his contract to run down last summer before making a move to Juventus.
At the time, there were Liverpool supporters unhappy at the midfielder having departed for nothing, particularly to a club considered a Champions League rival.
But while the Reds have subsequently improved dramatically, Can now finds himself somewhat in limbo.
Reports in Italy suggested Juventus were keen to ship the former Liverpool man out to Barcelona in a swap deal involving Ivan Rakitic.
It didn't happen, nor did a mooted deadline-day move on Monday back to former club Bayern Munich.
Now Can faces a battle to win over new Juve manager Maurizio Sarri, with the Serie A side starting with a midfield of Miralem Pjanic, Sami Khedira and Blaise Matuidi in their opening two league games. And then there are summer signings Adrien Rabiot and Aaron Ramsey, both midfielders and, like Can, both free transfers.
Indeed, Can has been restricted to a 30-minute appearance at home to Napoli on Sunday, the visitors then coming from 3-0 down to 3-3 before losing through an injury-time own goal.
That said, it would be a myth to suggest the ex-Reds midfielder struggled in his debut campaign. After some early fitness concerns, he started 16 of the last 23 Serie A games for Juventus and won the league title.
Can, though, is at present discovering the grass isn't always greener when leaving Liverpool.
Philippe Coutinho, now at Bayern Munich, found the same at Barcelona, another who left Jurgen Klopp's Reds when in their prime.
The success stories have come from those who arguably reached the end of their natural time at Anfield, such as Klavan and Lucas Leiva, Lazio's player of the year last term.
Sure, Can would get games as part of the Liverpool current squad. But Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum would all be above him in the pecking order, while Can doesn't possess quite the versatility of James Milner or forward drive of Naby Keita.
Can was a good signing for the Reds and a fine midfielder, exactly what was needed to help them make the next step towards regular Champions League football.
But while Juventus have failed to ship out the German this week, Liverpool themselves have long since moved on since his departure.
rendondo
76
we are the best club in Europe.Our records are clear.No team has sold key players than Liverpool in past five seasons and are still doing well as we do . sterling :womanchester city 😂 Suarez :bottlelosers emry can: juventus coutinho :bottlelosers unfortunately for our buyers only juventus has escaped us in the ucl because we've whitewashed bottlelosers and womanchester city 😂
Zoylnor
54
this is the beginning, can and coutihno betrayed pool under no circumstance just because of lack of trophy, but at end sky normally be Liverpools limit, now Liverpool FC are the king of europe
ovo_lexis
52
I have actually always noticed this trend. I think there's something more to being a player of Liverpool. see Torres when he left.so terrible, it's actually suprising considering his impetus on the world stage. kuyt became even more successful cos he left on good terms. the only stubborn person was suarez but even he felt the wrath last season at anfield. I feel there's a bit of SPIRITUAL AND PHYSCOLOGICAL EFFECT FROM the red half of merseyside on players. forget Barcelona. Liverpool should be the ones with motto "MORE THAN A CLUB"
CalebTan6696
42
emre can ask for it, although he might won the Italian league but the champions cup he still haven't won it. plus if he stay at liverpool he might be one of the first choice.