Can Liverpool recall Harvey Elliott? Loan transfer rules explained amid Mohamed Salah worry

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Harvey Elliott left Liverpool during the summer transfer window to complete a loan move to Aston Villa which includes an obligation to buyHarvey Elliott's future is becoming increasingly uncertain as his loan spell away from Liverpool continues. The former Reds playmaker left Anfield during the summer transfer window to complete a loan move to Aston Villa.Elliott left Liverpool in search of more regular first-team football, with the decision being made after the Reds signed Florian Wirtz during the summer transfer window.Arne Slot's squad was also strengthened by the arrivals of Hugo Ekitike, Alexander Isak, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Giovanni Leoni and Freddie Woodman.Liverpool sanctioned Elliott's exit on transfer deadline day, but the move has not gone fully to plan since the 22-year-old's Anfield exit.READ MORE: Liverpool told to be 'braver' with Florian Wirtz as Arne Slot task clearREAD MORE: FSG 'U-turn on £114m deal' after Liverpool owners raised huge concernsElliott has made just three appearances in the Premier League, but has started just one match in the top flight, with his last appearance in the league coming on September 28.Villa boss Unai Emery has not even named Elliott in the matchday squad in each of the last three Premier League games, although the playmaker was unable to feature against Liverpool last month due to the league's loan rules.Liverpool included an obligation to buy in the loan move that saw Elliott join Villa, with the fee set at £35million.

However, various reports have claimed that this will only happen if Elliott makes 10 appearances for Villa.As a result, there is now speculation about whether or not Elliott could be recalled by Liverpool in January, with Villa seemingly against giving him regular minutes.The Reds do have the option of recalling Elliott in the New Year if they choose to do so, but if the England Under-21 international was to feature five more times for Ville beforehand, then a return to Anfield would not be possible.There is also the matter of Elliott having already played for Liverpool this season, which, combined with having featured for Villa this term, means he cannot join a different club in January due to the rule that prohibits players from playing for more than two clubs in a single campaign.From Liverpool's perspective, they are expected to keep a close eye on Elliott's progress while on loan at Villa until the terms of the obligation to buy are officially activated.The Reds also have to bear in mind that Mohamed Salah will also be unavailable for a large portion of the campaign later in the season. Salah will be expected to link up with Egypt during the Africa Cup of Nations in December and January, which would leave Liverpool without a key player in attack for several weeks.Should Egypt call up Salah to their training camp before facing the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on December 6, Jordan on December 9 and Nigeria on December 14 in preparation for the winter tournament and then go on to reach the final, the forward could miss as many as 11 games.However, the Liverpool forward is set to make it clear that he does not want to be released for the AFCON until as late as possible so he doesn't miss crunch games.Elliott, meanwhile, was utilised on the right wing on occasion during his time at Liverpool and would have been a potential option to replace Salah if he was still at Anfield.

Should he continue to be kept away from the Villa team and Arne Slot wish to, the option is there to recall him to help cover in the Egyptian's absence.For the latest news and breaking news, visit liverpoolecho.co.uk/all-about/liverpool-fc. Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.Follow us on Twitter @‌LivEchoLFC - the official Liverpool ECHO LFC Twitter account - for all the latest LFC news as it happens in real time.We're also on Facebook/LiverpoolEchoLFC - your must-see LFC news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Liverpool ECHO.Listen to our podcasts by searching for 'Blood Red' wherever you get your podcasts.Sign up for one of the Liverpool Echo's free daily and weekly newsletters on Liverpool FC by clicking here.