Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher believes Harvey Elliott has 'wasted a year' on loan at Aston Villa, with the midfielder making just five appearances since his transfer deadline day move
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 warned Harvey Elliott that his challenging loan spell at Aston Villa from Liverpool is unlikely to improve. The 22-year-old was named in Unai Emery's Premier League matchday squad against Newcastle United today for the first time since October, but he didn't come off the bench in the 2-0 away win.
Elliott made the move to Villa from Liverpool on transfer deadline day on a season-long loan, with an obligation to buy dependent on appearances. He has only made five appearances for Villa, with Emery recently choosing not to play him to avoid triggering the permanent £35m transfer.
While this has left the midfielder in a state of uncertainty, Emery has been dealt a midfield selection headache in recent weeks due to injuries to key players Boubacar Kamara and John McGinn.
Commenting on the predicament Elliott finds himself in, Carragher told Sky Sports: "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?".
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."
Charlotte FC boss Dean Smith, formerly of Villa, confirmed earlier this week that his team are prepared to offer Elliott a way out of his predicament.
"I put the feelers out, obviously, when I was over there," he also 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."