Despite pleas from supporters, Liverpool did not alter their agreement with Aston Villa over Harvey Elliott’s loan move this January.
The 22-year-old has had an incredibly disappointing spell with the Villans so far, making only six appearances for Unai Emery’s side.
Elliott needs four more to trigger a permanent move to Villa Park, but Emery has openly admitted that the Midlands club have no intention of making that happen.
What is the best outcome for Harvey Elliott this January?
Villa don't want him, but he can't play for another European side other than Liverpool…
Harvey Elliott celebrates after scoring for Liverpool during their pre-season friendly match against Athletic Bilbao at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA
Liverpool held discussions with Aston Villa on transfer deadline day in an attempt to find a better solution for everybody, but those talks ultimately came to nothing. Elliott will now continue at Villa Park for the remainder of the campaign.
The youngster’s plight has drawn plenty of sympathy from Liverpool supporters, with Elliott remaining a popular figure on Merseyside. And as he struggles through away from Anfield, journalist James Pearce has claimed that despite a frustrating season, Elliott is still showing why Reds fans loved him, with his attitude and application shining once again.
Harvey Elliott impressing staff at Aston Villa
Elliott’s case will be a fascinating one this summer. Clearly, the former Fulham prospect does not feature in Arne Slot’s plans and in Liverpool’s collective mind it seems that he has been consigned to the past.
But Villa’s refusal to adhere to the agreements of the loan mean that he is likely to return to Anfield at the end of the campaign.
Harvey Elliott warms up ahead of Aston Villa's Premier League match against Burnley at Villa Park.
Photo by Shaun Brooks – CameraSport via Getty Images
MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
READ MORE: Alexis Mac Allister’s dad has a message to Liverpool fans after Real Madrid exit rumours
In the meantime, Pearce told TalkSPORT that Elliott is showing exactly what he’s all about at Villa, impressing staff with his work-rate despite the clearly disadvantageous circumstances.
“I really feel for Harvey Elliot because you know you speak to people at Villa and they’ve only got positive things to say about him in terms of his attitude and application in training every day,” he said.
“It’s just really unfortunate that for whatever reason Emery doesn’t seem to fancy him, doesn’t want Villa to have to pay the 35 million pounds that’s written into the agreement if he plays 10 or more appearances for Villa this season. So he’s stuck in limbo.”
Which exciting Liverpool youngster will have the brightest future at Anfield?
Trey Nyoni in action during Liverpool's pre-season friendly against Athletic Bilbao at Anfield. Rio Ngumoha of Liverpool celebrates at full-time following the team's victory in the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St James' Park
Credit: George Wood/Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Getty Images
Is there a way back for Elliott at Liverpool?
With Liverpool’s squad stretched heading into the second half of the season, there is little question that Elliott could have helped.
But Slot was consistent in his messaging that the former No. 19 is an Aston Villa player, and for the terms of the loan to be changed it was on them, not Liverpool, to lead the discussions.
While that approach disappointed a lot of supporters, it did at least make it clear that Elliott has virtually no hope of a Liverpool reprieve if Slot remains in charge.
Clearly, there is a big question mark over whether that will be the case, however, and Elliott may well be pinning his hopes on a new manager coming in.
If that does happen, there could be a way back for him, but a turnaround at Villa should also not be completely ruled out. Elliott is impressing staff and has been featuring a little more of late, keep that up and hopefully they can still honour the agreement they originally made back in September.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox