Liverpool manager Arne Slot was understandably reluctant to complicate matters further when questioned about Harvey Elliott last week. Asked whether the forgotten Reds player might return to Anfield after struggling for minutes during his loan stint at Aston Villa, Slot avoided giving a clear-cut response. Instead, he suggested that questions regarding playing time should be directed at Unai Emery.
Slot said: "No, I haven't had contact with him a lot. I think only once or twice and that was before he played Feyenoord away and after he played Feyenoord away, but that had more to do with that he played against a former club of mine. So no, I haven't been speaking to him. I am aware of his situation, of course.
"I knew how difficult it already was for him over here, so I think I know how he feels at this moment. But you should ask those questions at Villa and not over here when it's about his playing time over there."
From Liverpool's standpoint, matters were made worse on Wednesday evening when Villa manager Emery indicated that a permanent transfer to Villa Park looked unlikely following Elliott's deadline-day loan switch.
He said: "We are speaking with him and about his situation. He is not here with us (in Basel for a European fixture). Hopefully we can get the best for him and the best for us. I respect him as a player and as a person.
"He is training well, but we have one circumstance with him. Hopefully we can get a solution for him to try to play consistently and try to continue in his career with us or not. I have spoken with him two or three times about the situation we have with him.
"Firstly, my decision and also the situation. He is on loan playing with us, but he is not definitely adding to us with a permanent contract."
Elliott has struggled to cement his place at Villa following his temporary move in the summer. The two clubs agreed a £35m fee with buy-back and sell-on clauses included in the terms.
His potential meant the Reds were determined to retain the option of bringing him back should he demonstrate the consistent quality they believe he possesses.
Yet just months into his spell in Birmingham, Elliott finds himself sidelined, unable to force his way through the abundance of attacking midfielders at Villa Park.
With the club still trying to steer clear of the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Regulations, triggering a £35m fee for a player not in the plans would be unwise.
Elliott needs to make 10 appearances for the deal to become permanent, but he has only made five so far this season.
Given Villa's obligation to complete the transfer if he doubles his tally in the second half of the campaign, it's hard to see anything other than further stagnation for a player who was part of a Premier League-winning squad just months ago.
Despite his ambition to cement himself as an Anfield regular, the difficult choice was made to depart following several attacking signings throughout the summer window.
"I loved every minute of it; every second, every day," said Elliott upon his Liverpool exit. "I wouldn't change it. But the most important thing for me when I was making the decision was to be playing first-team football."
With the January transfer window looming, it will be intriguing to see what unfolds next.
Elliott's single Premier League appearance for Liverpool this season against Newcastle United means he cannot play for another club due to FIFA rules.
This could mean that he might have to remain on the sidelines for the latter half of the season. The long-term prospects for someone who doesn't turn 23 until April are promising, but for now, it's hard to foresee a similarly bright immediate future.