Liverpool made big changes to their squad in the summer transfer window, some of which have worked out better than others.
Richard Hughes overruled Arne Slot to sanction the sale of Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich.
The Colombian winger has excelled in Germany thus far, where he is now competing for the league title alongside Harry Kane.
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Elsewhere, Darwin Nunez has been playing in Saudi Arabia, and there has been tentative talk about a Nunez and Mohamed Salah reunion in recent weeks.
Among the other stars to depart Anfield earlier in 2025 were Harvey Elliott, Caoimhin Kelleher and Jarell Quansah.
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How Harvey Elliott reacted to Liverpool exit
Now, an insight into how the first of that trio reacted to his departure has been shared.
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Speaking on YouTube, journalist Lewis Steele conducted a Q&A when he revealed that Elliott actually cried as he made the trip to Aston Villa.
He said: “He [Elliott] spent the whole summer agonising whether he should leave or not, because Liverpool are his boyhood club, and when he was driving to Villa he was in tears because it didn’t quite work out for him at Liverpool.”
It’s fair to say that Elliott’s time at Villa Park has thus far failed to bear fruit.
There was an expectation he would make a permanent switch once he’d made 10 appearances for the Midlands outfit.
However, Unai Emery suggested Elliott won’t be joining them permanently, leaving his long-term future up in the air.
How Harvey Elliott fits into Arne Slot’s new Liverpool team
In turn, it would not be surprising to see the Englishman recalled to Anfield once the January transfer window opens.
However, as FIFA rules mean he cannot play for another team this season, a return to the Liverpool squad is his best chance of minutes in the remainder of 2025/26.
Previously, Slot has not favoured Elliott, affording him just 360 minutes of Premier League action last term.
However, Liverpool have changed their formation in recent weeks, which could benefit the 22-year-old.
Elliott could now compete with Alexis Mac Allister for a role as the most advanced midfielder, allowing Dominik Szoboszlai to keep his place on the right, where he has been so effective of late.
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