Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has spoken out about Harvey Elliott's loan spell to Aston Villa, which has seen the attacking midfielder frozen out
Jamie Carragher speaks on Sky Sports' Premier League coverage
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has spoken out on Harvey Elliott's difficult situation whilst on loan to Aston Villa this season(Image: Sky Sports)
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Jamie Carragher has told Harvey Elliott his torrid time on loan to Aston Villa from Liverpool is not going to get any better. The 22-year-old was named in Unai Emery's Premier League matchday squad for the game against Newcastle United today for the first time since October.
Elliott joined Villa from Liverpool on transfer deadline day on a season-long loan, with an obligation to buy conditional on appearances. The 22-year-old has made only five appearances for Villa, with Emery having recently opted against playing him to avoid triggering the £35m permanent deal option.
And while that has left the midfielder in limbo, Emery has been handed somewhat of a midfield selection crisis in recent weeks with injuries to key stars Boubacar Kamara and John McGinn.
Addressing the situation Elliott finds himself in, Carragher said: "He's used to be brilliant for Liverpool for a few years - off the bench. He can make an impact from there.
"It'll be really interesting to see if he uses him today – I don't think he will, because I think we all know there's an appearance he's got to get to and that sort of activates [the permanent transfer], and Aston Villa aren't gonna pay that.
"He may bring him on three or four times between now and the end of the season, but he certainly won't bring him on five times because that's when it clicks into place."
In response, presenter Mark Chapman asked: "That's horrible for the player though, isn't it?"
To which Carragher replied: "It is! But that's the ruthless nature of football.
"If the manager doesn't fancy the player and he doesn't think he can add to what he's got, are the club gonna spend whatever it is? I think it's £25-30m? Maybe he thinks he can do something else with that in the summer.
"Listen, I understand where Unai Emery is coming from, but I really feel for the young lad. It almost feels like he's wasted a year of his career."
Unai Emery and Harvey Elliott during Everton vs Aston Villa.
Unai Emery and Harvey Elliott during Everton vs Aston Villa.(Image: Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images)
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Charlotte FC manager Dean Smith confirmed earlier this week that his side are willing to offer Elliott an end to his Villa nightmare.
"I put the feelers out, obviously, when I was over there," he told Sky Sports. "I was thinking about it and thought, there is an opportunity here.
"If he is not going to play at Villa and can't play anywhere else, then it would be an option for him to come and play some games up until the World Cup break.
"If he is not playing between now and the World Cup, it is a shame. There is an opportunity for him to come out and play here if that is what Liverpool or Villa wanted to do."
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