Liverpool have make an application to have EU citizenship granted to 'keeper Jerzy Dudek and midfielder Vladimir Smicer, which would mean that neither player would require a work permit next season.
The duo have worked in the EU for six years but the current ruling states that players must have worked in a single EU country for five years before securing citizenship.
Patrik Berger was granted his British passport last summer. Defender Stephane Henchoz will also apply for his as he joined Blackburn Rovers back in 1997 so there should be no complications with his straight forward application.
Liverpool are prepared to challenge the current EU ruling if Dudek's and Smicer's applications are rejected on what the club see as a silly technicality.
The fact that the club want to secure EU citizenship for Smicer should now put and end to the silly rumours that he would be shown the door in the summer.