Liverpool are up to fourth in the Premier League table but Arne Slot knows work must be done in the January transfer window for the champions to get back to their best
09:21, 28 Dec 2025
Liverpool are back on a winning run under Arne Slot
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Liverpool are back on a winning run under Arne Slot
The future of Harvey Elliott remains uncertain, with the next step in the young England star's career yet to be decided.
The Liverpool ace made a deadline day move to Aston Villa, but four months on, the 23-year-old has seen limited action under Unai Emery. It's unclear whether the attacking midfielder will finish the season at Villa Park or return to Arne Slot's squad, who are currently missing Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak, but have climbed up to fourth in the Premier League table.
The reigning champions overcame those absences to beat Wolves 2-1 on Saturday afternoon, thanks to an inspired Florian Wirtz performance, which saw the £116m summer signing score his first goal for the Reds, after Ryan Gravenberch opened the scoring, with Liverpool holding on for a 2-1 win following Santiago Bueno's strike. Here's all the latest developments from Anfield.
Elliott transfer twist
Harvey Elliott applauds
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Harvey Elliott has failed to see much game time with Aston Villa(Image: OLI SCARFF, AFP via Getty Images)
The transfer saga surrounding Elliott is set to intensify as we near the January transfer window, with the Englishman struggling for game time at Aston Villa.
Emery has already stated his team won't be making Elliott's loan deal permanent, which would have been triggered by him making 10 appearances - he's only played in five matches so far, reports the Mirror.
Given that he already turned out for Liverpool before his deadline day switch to Villa, Elliott can't represent a third club this season, leaving the attacking midfielder's career in a state of flux.
The next move for Elliott is complicated, as Liverpool don't have a recall clause in the season-long loan, according to The Athletic.
The report also suggests that Villa - currently third in the Premier League table - would need to pay Liverpool a fee if they wish to terminate the loan early.
However, with Liverpool's attacking options limited because of injuries, they may be keen to negotiate a deal to see him return to Anfield in a big U-turn.
Slot convinces Ekitike
Hugo Ekitike put in another great showing for Liverpool against Wolves
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Hugo Ekitike put in another great showing for Liverpool against Wolves(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
French striker Hugo Ekitike has been the standout performer among Liverpool's summer signings, topping the scoring charts with 10 goals in all competitions.
The 23-year-old hit the ground running at Anfield, netting three times in his first three matches, but then experienced a dry spell, scoring just thrice in his next 17 outings.
However, Ekitike found his goal-scoring mojo again earlier this month, bagging five league goals in his last three games and propelling Liverpool to fourth in the table, with a fine assist for Wirtz's strike on Saturday, after hitting the post himself when put through on goal by the German maestro.
Liverpool's Dutch manager Arne Slot attends a press conference at Anfield stadium in Liverpool, north-west England, on March 10, 2025, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League football match against Paris Saint Germain
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Liverpool's manager Arne Slot
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His return to form coincides with an increased focus on his physicality, something that manager Slot had to persuade him was necessary for success in English football.
The Liverpool boss said: "He showed a lot of hard work to get to this fitness level where he is at the moment. It sometimes took us – me – a bit of convincing that this all is actually needed to become stronger but he always did it, not always with a smile on his face but he has worked really hard to get fitter on and off the pitch."
Slot also shared his tactical advice to Ekitike, saying: "I've tried to convince him as well, the better you defend a set-piece the bigger chance you have to score at the other end, because if you are 0-0 it is easier to score a goal than if you are 1-0 down. It may sound strange but it is what it does with the energy levels of the other team."