Liverpool manager Arn Slott was understandably reluctant to complicate matters further when asked about Harvey Elliott last week. Asked if the forgotten Reds player could return to Anfield after struggling for minutes on loan at Aston Villa, Slott declined to give a definitive answer. Instead, he suggested questions about playing time should be directed to Unai Emery.
Slott said: “No, I haven’t had much contact with him. I think it was only once or twice. I think it was before he played away against Feyenoord and after he played away against Feyenoord, but that had to do with him playing against my former club. So, no, I haven’t talked to him. Of course I know his situation.”
“We knew how difficult things were for him here so I think we know how he feels at this moment. But in terms of playing time over there, those questions should be asked at Villa rather than here.”
From Liverpool’s perspective, things got worse on Wednesday night when Villa manager Emery suggested a permanent move to Villa Park was unlikely following Elliott’s deadline-day loan move.
“We are talking to him and about his situation. He is not here (in Basel for the European game) and we hope we can get the best for him and for us. We respect him as a player and as a person,” he said.
“He is training well, but we have one situation with him. Hopefully we can find a solution for him to play consistently and try to continue his career with us. I have spoken to him a couple of times about the situation we have with him.”
“Firstly, my decision, and then the situation. He is playing with us on loan, but he will definitely not join us on a permanent contract.”
Elliott has struggled to establish himself at Villa after making a temporary move in the summer. The two clubs have agreed a fee of £35 million, including a buy-back and sell clause.
Given his potential, the Reds were determined to retain the option of bringing him back if he could prove the consistent quality they believe he possesses.
But just a few months into his time at Birmingham, Elliott found himself sidelined, unable to break through Villa Park’s wealth of attacking midfielders.
At a time when clubs are still trying to circumvent the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations, it would be unwise to impose a £35m transfer fee on a player who is not in their plans.
Elliott needs to play in 10 games to be signed permanently, but he has only played in five games this season.
Given that Villa are obligated to complete the transfer by doubling their tally in the second half of the season, it is difficult to think of anything other than further stagnation for a player who was part of the Premier League champions just a few months ago.
Despite his ambitions to establish himself as a regular at Anfield, the difficult choice to leave was made following the signing of several attacking players throughout the summer.
“I loved every minute, every second, every day,” Elliott said on leaving Liverpool. “I wouldn’t change it. But the most important thing for me in making the decision was to play first-team football.”
The January transfer window is fast approaching and it will be interesting to see what unfolds next.
Elliott has made one appearance in the Premier League this season for Liverpool against Newcastle United and cannot play for any other club under FIFA regulations.
This could mean he may have to sit out the second half of the season. The long-term prospects are promising for a player who won’t turn 23 until April, but it’s hard to foresee an equally bright future right now.
