Liverpool is reportedly fuming about Harvey Elliott's lack of game time at Aston Villa, with the midfielder having gone more than two months without making a first-team appearance.
Elliott joined Villa on loan on September 1, with the agreement including an obligation for Villa to sign Elliott permanently in 2026 upon him reaching 10 appearances for the Midlands club.
However, he has barely figured for Unai Emery's team, lining up just once in the Premier League – in a game that he was substituted at half-time in – and he has not appeared in a gameday squad in the top flight since October 19.
His plight isn't much better in Europe: although he has made all five of Villa's squads in the Europa League, he has only made one appearance – as an 86th-minute substitute against Feyenoord on October 2. That was his last appearance in any competition.
Unai Emery recently said that the good performances of Emiliano Buendia, who has revived his Villa career in recent months, is one of the reasons behind Elliott's recent lack of game time.
Another theory that has been reported – and seems logical – was that Villa's decision to sign Elliott in the first place was heavily influenced by Monchi, the club's former president of football operations.
Monchi left Villa less than a month after Elliott signed for the club, and disagreements between Monchi and Emery over Villa's transfer targets was reportedly one of the main reasons for his departure.
Elliott finds himself in a tough spot, as FIFA rules stipulate that a player cannot appear for more than two clubs in a single season.
Harvey Elliott warms up
Elliott could be recalled by Liverpool in January (Image: AFP or licensors)
Elliott has already made appearances for both Liverpool and Villa, so his only hopes of playing again this term are to break through at Villa or to return to Liverpool and play for Arne Slot's team.
Both of those outcomes seem unlikely at the moment, so Elliott may have to wait until the start of next season to start playing regularly again, unless he moves to a club that plays in an overlapping season, such as the MLS or the Brazilian league.
Football Insider says that Liverpool is frustrated with situation, and that talks between the Reds and Villa are set to take place ahead of the January transfer window, when Elliott could be recalled.