Liverpool's Harvey Elliott was once tipped by Jamie Carragher to succeed Mohamed Salah at Anfield, but his loan spell at Aston Villa has raised questions over his future
07:56, 01 May 2026Updated 08:01, 01 May 2026
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool
Mohamed Salah is set to leave Liverpool at the end of the season(Image: Molly Darlington, Getty Images)
Liverpool loanee Harvey Elliott was previously tipped as Mohamed Salah's natural successor by Jamie Carragher. The 23 year old could return to Anfield with a point to prove next season, following a frustrating loan spell at Aston Villa.
Elliott joined the Reds from Fulham as a 16-year-old, going on to become the youngest player ever to start for the club when he made his debut in September 2019. A productive loan stint at Blackburn Rovers followed, during which he thrived on the right wing and earned himself a place in Liverpool's first-team squad.
The versatile midfielder has made 149 appearances for the club but found himself falling down the pecking order during Arne Slot's debut season at Anfield. In pursuit of regular first-team football, Elliott joined Villa last summer, though he has since struggled for playing time due to the terms of the loan agreement.
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With a permanent move to Villa looking unlikely, Elliott could remind the Reds of his capabilities should he return to his parent club next season. Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher previously hinted that the midfielder could step into Salah's shoes at Anfield.
Back in February 2022, when discussing Elliott's future prospects, Carragher told Goal: "You have someone really special here, maybe in terms of Mo Salah's replacement, if that's the position he plays in.
"Mo Salah is getting to 30 now and we're all desperate for him to sign a contract, but whenever Mo Salah goes, maybe you've got your ready-made replacement. Maybe not the same type of player, but a guy that plays on the right and comes in on that left foot.
Harvey Elliott was once tipped to be Mohamed Salah's replacement
Harvey Elliott was once tipped to be Mohamed Salah's replacement(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
"Maybe he'll be more creative or maybe he'll get less goals, who knows, but he's definitely a special player and, in the next 18 months, he'll have to find a position for him in the team because players of that quality have to play."
Years on from Carragher's forecast, Salah is set to bid farewell to the club at the end of the current campaign. Elliott's progress, however, has plateaued owing to limited game time this season.
The loan deal with Villa includes a £35million obligation to purchase if Elliott reaches a set number of appearances for Unai Emery's side. He has featured nine times across all competitions, with just four of those coming in the Premier League.
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While falling well short of being crowned Salah's heir apparent, Elliott's predicament does not necessarily reflect his abilities. Villa's decision not to trigger the £35m clause could yet work in Liverpool's favour, should Elliott be driven to prove his doubters wrong.
Finding a direct replacement for Salah this summer will be a near-impossible task for the Reds, with manager Slot having deployed a variety of players on the right flank throughout this campaign.
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Should Elliott impress the Liverpool manager during training sessions, the 23 year old may strengthen his argument for reintegrating into the squad next campaign. Four years later, a modest opportunity still exists for Elliott to realise Carragher's forecast.