Harvey Elliott has a chance for a fresh start at Liverpool after a nightmare season at Aston Villa
Harvey Elliott’s career has stalled (Image: Nigel French/Allstar, Getty Images)
Harvey Elliott looks set to put an end to a difficult season and start a new chapter under Andoni Iraola after Liverpool’s new manager hinted he could have a future at Anfield. Elliott endured a tough loan spell at Aston Villa, barely featuring under manager Unai Emery, but Elliott quickly decided not to pursue a permanent contract for the attacking midfielder.
Had he played 10 games in the Premier League, his £35m buy-out option would have been triggered. In the end, they were only able to play four games, including four in the Europa League and one in the Carabao Cup.
Elliott, who had already been linked with a move to Liverpool at the start of the season, was banned from moving to a third club in January after Villa’s request to return to Anfield was blocked. The frustrating predicament has left the 23-year-old’s career in limbo, but the 2026-27 season will give Iraola the chance to prove his worth, with Iraola ensuring all his players start from a clean slate.
Elliott showed his determination ahead of pre-season by linking up with former QPR coach Scott Chikelday. Offensive performance coaches who run SC9 Services posted a clip of Elliott in action on the practice field.
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He wrote: “The hard work never stops!! Liverpool FC attacker @Harveriot is back with a sharp look! Ball movement on the first finish.”
Elliott is not the only player looking to beat Iraola after a tough season under coach Arne Slott. Speaking after his appointment was announced, the former Bournemouth manager said: “We have analyzed Liverpool, their possible weaknesses and strengths.
“I think we have a very good team. I think there is still work to do, as is usual for any club at this stage of the season. But the important thing for me right now is to take care of the players, especially the players we have now in the team.”
“For me, and I say to them, (they) are all new signings. For me, you’re all new signings and I think there’s a lot of quality in the team. And (I’m) really looking forward to working with them.”
“I think we’ve only had Milos (Kerkes) in the team so far. I know some of them. I’ve talked to some of them before, but it would also be great to play with Milos again. We’ll try to develop him and help him develop. Yeah, I’m definitely looking forward to it.”
Andoni Iraola will give players like Elliott a chance to impress (Image: Nicky Dyer – LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Those sentiments are a huge boost for Elliott, suggesting he will be seen as equal to the rest of the squad when he returns to the club this summer.
With many of the Reds’ star players returning due to the World Cup, he could get the chance to make an early impression during pre-season.
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