Allan Rodrigues de Souza has been out on loan at Hertha Berlin—and is unlikely to return to Liverpool for pre-season, according to the German club.

The Brazilian 20-year-old has been a bit-part player for the Bundesliga side, playing just 11 times in the league this season and racking up less than 600 minutes in all competitions.

With the youngster requiring a work permit to return to Melwood and resume his career at his parent club, Hertha’s sporting director Michael Preetz believes it’s not likely to happen ahead of the 2017/18 campaign.

Preetz told German outlet Berliner Morgenpost (h/t ESPNFC) that there was no chance of Allan fulfilling the necessary criteria this year. “Even if Allan were to play in all final four Bundesliga games of the season, he would not reach the necessary points.”

Jurgen Klopp is already well aware of Allan’s ability, hailing him as an “outstanding talent” before the youngster’s loan move to Belgium in 2015/16.

The loanee’s role in Berlin has perhaps been less than hoped for across the year, but he returned to the side for the full 90 minutes in the win over Wolfsburg, earning praise from his coach Pal Dardai which was echoed by Preetz.

“Allan played well. What is striking: He never hides and always wants the ball, including in periods when he’s not having the best time out there.

“He makes a case for himself with performance like on Saturday.”

The sporting director also again confirmed that Hertha would be keen to open talks with Liverpool over extending Allan’s loan into next season, suggesting that the two clubs would talk in summer about the Brazilian’s future.

Allan has already spent time out on loan with Finnish club SJK and Belgian outfit Sint-Truiden, prior to this year’s move to the Bundesliga.

Should he surprise Hertha by being granted a work permit and remaining at Liverpool next season, he’d face competition from fellow young midfielders such as Marko Grujic, Ovie Ejaria and Sheyi Ojo, each of whom have struggled for game time this year.