Harvey Elliott's loan spell at Aston Villa has raised questions, with former player Dean Saunders revealing two theories about the Liverpool midfielder's lack of game time
Dylan James
13:30, 24 Jan 2026
Harvey Elliott has been frozen out by Aston Villa
Harvey Elliott has been frozen out by Aston Villa(Image: Getty Images)
Harvey Elliott's loan spell at Aston Villa has fallen flat, and the Liverpool midfielder now faces an uphill battle to play again this season.
Once regarded as one of the nation's brightest midfield prospects, Elliott joined Liverpool from Fulham at the age of 16 in 2019. Under Jurgen Klopp's guidance, he developed his craft and celebrated triumph with England's U21s at last summer's European Championship.
Yet, after Arne Slot succeeded Klopp at Anfield, Elliott slipped down the hierarchy and completed a deadline-day loan transfer to Aston Villa in the summer. What initially appeared to be a promising arrangement with a leading club has proved disappointing.
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The agreement featured an obligation to purchase based on appearances, a standard clause in numerous transfers.
Nevertheless, it's evident Villa have no intention of buying Elliott permanently, with Unai Emery consistently leaving him out of the side. Ex-Villa player Dean Saunders has now put forward two explanations for Elliott's exclusion.
"Either there is an agreement that they have to pay Liverpool a certain amount of money when he has played a certain amount of matches, or the manager just never signed him," Saunders told AceOdds.com.
Elliott could still return to Liverpool this month
Elliott could still return to Liverpool this month(Image: Getty Images)
"They brought in (Victor) Lindelof, Elliott and (Jadon) Sancho on deadline day. But did he sign any of them? Maybe he is trying to make a point now by saying he doesn't need them.
"Harvey Elliott always lifts the tempo. He makes the runs, chases the goalkeeper, closes down properly. He is a good player. Maybe he is not top-notch, but he should be getting games for Aston Villa."
Saunders added: "It is a strange one, isn't it? I think we are all thinking, what is going on there? If Harvey Elliott was at Liverpool, he would be in the team. It is not as big of a mystery as Dele Alli. That was a mystery, but the situation is still a bit similar to his."
Liverpool's current squad lacks depth, and Slot would undoubtedly benefit from having a player of Elliott's calibre available.
Having featured for both Liverpool and Villa this season, he cannot join a third European club on loan or permanently during the January window.
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Villa is reportedly keen on securing AC Milan midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek, which further highlights how Elliott appears to be deemed excess to requirements.
There remains a chance that Elliott might head back to Liverpool before the month's end, though Villa would incur a financial penalty for cutting short the loan arrangement, making such a move improbable.
Nevertheless, pursuing Loftus-Cheek could prompt Villa to end the deal early, as offloading him would create room within the club's wage structure.