Football
Stephan Uersfeld, Germany correspondent 7y

Liverpool midfielder Allan won't get work permit - Hertha Berlin

Hertha Berlin have said they do not believe Liverpool will get a work permit for Brazil under-20 international Allan as they prepare to open talks to extend his loan into next season.

Allan, 20, joined Liverpool from Porto Alegre in 2015 but the midfielder has yet to appear for the Premier League club, having spent time with SJK in Finland and Sint-Truiden in Belgium before spending the current campaign with Bundesliga club Hertha.

However, Hertha's failure to qualify for Europa League, and Allan's participation in the South American Under-20 Championship at the beginning of the year, has limited his opportunities, with the Brazilian appearing just 12 times in all competitions.

To secure a work permit to play in the Premier League, non-European Union players are awarded points across a range of criteria, and Hertha sporting director Michael Preetz said Allan will not meet requirements.

"Even if Allan were to play in all final four Bundesliga games of the season, he would not reach the necessary points," Preetz told Berliner Morgenpost. 

At the weekend, Allan made only his fifth start of the season for Hertha, who had previously lost all four of the games the Brazilian started in without scoring a goal.

That changed with Saturday's 1-0 win against Wolfsburg, and Hertha coach Pal Dardai praised Allan for listening to his advice at half-time.

"I've told him to not run everywhere, and Allan managed to do it in the second half," Dardai said.

Dardai's words were echoed by Preetz, who said in kicker: "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."

He reiterated that Hertha "will sit down with Liverpool in the summer" to discuss Allan's future.

^ Back to Top ^