Harvey Elliott has played just seven games for Aston Villa this season after agreeing a season-long loan move from Liverpool.
Liverpool could be considering bringing Harvey Elliott back to Anfield for much-needed cover after his loan spell at Aston Villa was not very successful. The 22-year-old joined the Villains on a season-long loan this summer, but his deal included a clause that would make the move permanent based on his appearances.
According to reports, if Elliott plays 10 games for Villa this season, he will trigger a clause in his contract that will make him a permanent member of the club for a fee of £35m. Despite being expected to feature more regularly for the Midlands, Elliott has made just seven appearances under Unai Emery this season.
This could lead to Liverpool considering calling up an attacking midfielder, but there is a problem. There is no recall clause in his contract with Villa, so all parties involved must agree for him to return to Merseyside.
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Despite Elliott not giving him much game time, Emery may be reluctant to let him go early, citing strong competition for the number 10 spot as a reason for his limited minutes. However, the player is reportedly disappointed he did not have the chance to prove himself at Villa.
According to The Athletic, Villa are hoping to reach a “new agreement” with Liverpool that is convenient for everyone. The Liverpool Echo reports that this comes at a time when Liverpool’s attack is currently stretched thin.
Cody Gakpo has been sidelined with a muscular injury since Liverpool’s 3-3 stalemate at Leeds United earlier this month, while Alexander Isaac recently underwent surgery on December 22 for an ankle problem that included a fractured fibula after being injured against Tottenham Hotspur.
Gakpo may be available for the game against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, December 27, but Isak’s prognosis is very concerning. Arne Slott said of the Sweden international earlier this week: “It’s going to be a long injury. A few months. It’s very, very, very unfortunate for him and of course for us as a result.”
Meanwhile, Liverpool are currently without Mohamed Salah as he is playing for his national team in the African Cup of Nations. If his country reach the final, he could be away from Anfield until mid-January.
Bringing Elliott back would certainly provide a short-term solution to Liverpool’s current injury crisis, given that the Surrey-born talent can also thrive on the wing. The Reds will be well aware that even if he does return, they will not be able to make another loan move this season.
The player, who has already been linked with moves to Liverpool and Aston Villa, will be prevented from moving to a third club in the January transfer window unless he joins a team that does not follow the European football calendar. Villa’s next challenge is a trip to Stamford Bridge on Saturday to face Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea.
It remains to be seen whether Elliott will get a chance to shine or if Emery will stick with reliable Morgan Rodgers. Meanwhile, Liverpool return to Anfield to take on Rob Edwards’ struggling Wolves, who are yet to win in their first 17 games.
With Isak absent, Slott is likely to place Hugo Ekitike in a central role, given the Frenchman’s form this season. The 23-year-old has scored eight goals in 16 appearances so far and has been a thorn in every team he has faced.
However, there are concerns as to who will support Ekitike on the wing this weekend. With Salah unavailable and Gakpo likely absent due to injury, the slot may have to use three attacking midfielders instead of the usual striker and two wingers.
Against Spurs, the Dutch manager used Florian Wirths on the left, Dominik Szoboszlai on the right and Alexis Mac Allister in the hole. Thanks to their efforts, Liverpool achieved a narrow 2-1 victory against a nine-man Spurs team. It will be interesting to see if slots adopt the same strategy this weekend.
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