Owen Beck to Celtic transfer faces Liverpool trap door as Dundee await FIFA trump card gift from Jurgen Klopp
The left-back is in demand this month but could yet land a chance to impress at Anfield before the end of January.
Owen Beck has been tipped to make a move to Celtic - but a single appearance for Liverpool would end any plans of a switch to Parkhead this month.
And if Jurgen Klopp did give the Welshman a chance in the Anfield first-team before the end of the month it would leave Dundee in pole position to land the left-back again - should he be shipped out of the English Premier League giants on loan again. That is because of a FIFA rule that only allows players to feature for two clubs per season. FIFA transfer regulations state a football player is only allowed to be registered with a maximum of three clubs in one season - and play official matches for two clubs.
Liverpool recalled Beck midway through his season-long loan amid injuries to Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas - but he has yet to feature for the Reds. Beck was named on the bench for the EFL Cup semi-final first leg victory over Fulham for the first time since his time on Tayside was cut short - and Klopp has already hinted he could get a chance in the coming weeks.
After bringing Beck back, the German boss said: "We are really positive about Owen but he had two difficult loan spells, things can happen when you move away from home. Must be the right manager, right team, another experienced left-back already there, so many things can happen. The situation here is clear; we've lost two left-backs, so the boy we like is available so we bring him back. That is it."
A single appearance would scupper Brendan Rodgers chances of raiding Anfield for a second time this season - having already brought Nat Phillips on loan during an ill-fated six-month stint. But it would be good news for Dens Park boss Tony Docherty who left the door open for Beck to return - while sighting the crucial FIFA rule.
Docherty told BBC Sportsound: "At the start of the season when we were going through our recruitment we had to do a lot of work to convince Owen Beck and Liverpool to come to Dundee. I think we justified that with the way we worked with him and the way he improved himself.
"We can say we were a part of that and we functioned and were there for him. But if you speak to any club in Scotland and the opportunity arose for and Owen Beck to come in to your squad - and I mean any club - they would look to do that.
"We have stole a march on that and we have shown we as a football club and staff that we can develop players, and Liverpool are aware of that. It is good that they see Dundee is an attractive place to send players because we will send them back more ready to play at that level.
"If that opportunity arises again, of course we would jump at that opportunity. Obviously there is the two club rule which I think has favoured Dundee before with Zach Robinson last year, and if that would to arise we are in a good position and would welcome him back."