Liverpool goalkeeper Danny Ward is targeting Simon Mignolet's No. 1 jersey after making a name for himself on loan at Aberdeen.
Ward, 22, is currently flourishing on loan at the Scottish Premiership club at a time when Liverpool's regular keepers Mignolet and Adam Bogdan are under scrutiny.
A number of overseas options have been linked with a move to Jurgen Klopp's side in January, but Wales international Ward has told the Daily Mail he wants to return to Anfield next summer and vie for the No. 1 spot.
"It is definitely an ambition of mine to be Liverpool's first-choice," he said. "They gave me a new long-term contract before I came up. I took it to mean they think I have got a chance."
Liverpool are able to recall Ward as early as January and have reportedly kept close tabs on him in Scotland.
He even made an appearance at Melwood for a couple of training sessions under Klopp in November.
"I am in regular contact with the Liverpool goalkeeping coach John Achteberg," Ward added. "We will speak a couple of times a week. The scouting department, who look after loan players at Liverpool, also have a good connection with the staff with Aberdeen.
"I met the new manager after the last international break for an introduction and to see what he did in training, get a feeling for his way of working. It was brilliant to get my face in there."
Klopp defended Mignolet after an erratic performance in a 2-2 draw at home to West Bromwich Albion on Dec. 13, while the former Borussia Dortmund coach said backup keeper Bogdan deserved a free kick after fumbling the ball in the 3-0 defeat at Watford seven days later.