Unai Emery says Aston Villa have been negotiating with Liverpool "for three months" over the terms of Harvey Elliott's loan, in an attempt to try and use the midfielder more extensively in the final stages of the season.
The England U21 international joined Villa on Deadline Day in September on a loan with an obligation to buy based on appearances made this season.
Elliott did not feature between October 2 and Villa's final Europa League league-phase match against RB Salzburg last month. He has now made a total of seven appearances for Villa.
A permanent deal is triggered on 10 appearances, including five in the second half of the season.
Emery accepts Villa have "damaged" Elliott by using him so sparingly but believes the player does deserve to feature more for his team as they continue to fight on three fronts this season.
"I spoke with him. We have been fair because there are two ways," said Emery.
"One way is sport, the second is business. We'll be fair in case, because we are trying it and I told him, I spoke a few times with Harvey.
"Now I am opening the door to play with us, because he can help us, but it's not only on my side.
"The other side is Liverpool, if they are taking off the clauses they have, to play matches and for us to buy him compulsory.
"[I said to him] 'you are going to play here with us, it's a sport decision'. But now it's a sport decision and a business decision.
"My sport decision is still there - 'you are deserving to play, we need your qualities in the field, you are going to play'. But in case, the clauses are still there and now it is Liverpool - they have the key."
The winter transfer window closed on Monday with Villa able to sign Tammy Abraham from Besiktas, with Douglas Luiz arriving on loan from Juventus and Leon Bailey recalled from his loan spell with Roma.
Villa are able to continue renegotiating with Liverpool outside the window, but Emery does accept though that ultimately the Premier League champions have the final say as to whether a compromise can be reached.
"We are speaking about it [taking off the clause] but not now. We started speaking about it three months ago. Of course, the transfer window was finished on Monday.
"It will be fair for him, because he's a calm guy, good guy, and he's a fantastic professional. And then his qualities are there.
"Of course he must play, and he's really being passionate and I know we are damaging him, because we got a deal with Liverpool in the summer and the deal is there, and we are taking the decision responsibly from my side.
"It can change for him, in case Liverpool take off this clause - if they don't want to, okay."
