Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott endured a difficult season on loan at Aston Villa, but the arrival of new head coach Andoni Iraola could hand the 23-year-old a fresh start at Liverpool
08:14, 09 Jun 2026
Harvey Elliott is returning to Liverpool this summer
Harvey Elliott is returning to Liverpool this summer(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool's appointment of Andoni Iraola could present Harvey Elliott with a fresh chance at Anfield.
The 23-year-old was a regular fixture under Jurgen Klopp, featuring in the German's squad throughout the final years of his reign at Liverpool. After Arne Slot's arrival in the summer of 2024, Elliott found opportunities increasingly limited. He made 28 appearances under the Dutchman, a marked drop from the 53 and 46 he clocked up in the two previous campaigns under Klopp.
Having secured the Premier League title under Slot, the England midfielder was loaned to Aston Villa in September 2025. Despite Villa agreeing a £35 million ($47 million) obligation to buy Elliott, dependent on him playing 10 Premier League matches for Villa, he featured just nine times for the Midlands outfit and was left out of the squad for much of the campaign.
Once regarded as a promising prospect, ready to make the right side of midfield his own for Liverpool, Elliott has essentially wasted an entire season of development at an age when he should be playing regularly for a side.
It will sting even more, given it was a World Cup year. He was named 'Player of the Tournament' for England at the U21 Euros, yet with Slot's departure comes a new beginning.
Iraola is preparing to evaluate all of his new players with a fresh perspective, offering everyone the opportunity to make a positive initial impact. During his first interview as the club's new head coach, the Basque manager gave players such as Elliott reason to believe they could prove their worth and secure their place in Liverpool's plans.
Andoni Iraola has taken charge of Liverpool
Andoni Iraola has taken charge of Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
"We've analyzed Liverpool a lot – possible weaknesses, the strengths," Iraola said. "I think we have a very good squad. I think there is still work to do, like normally in every club in this moment of the season.
"But right now, for me, the thing is to value especially the players that we have right now in the squad.
"For me, and I will tell them, [they] are all new signings. For me, you are all new signings, and I think we have a lot of quality in our squad, and really looking forward to working with them.
"I only had, I think, Milos [Kerkez] in the squad before – I know a couple. I've been talking to a couple before, but it will be lovely also to play again with Milos, try to improve him, try to help him in his development. Yeah, definitely looking forward to it."
Those remarks will provide significant encouragement for Elliott, indicating the midfielder is set to receive the same chance as any of his colleagues upon his return to the club this summer.
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It has been reported that Villa was eager for Elliott to return to Anfield in January, though the two clubs failed to reach an agreement. It has been a humiliating and unnecessary saga for Elliott, a player who has consistently demonstrated complete commitment to Liverpool since his arrival from Fulham in July 2019.
Speaking in May, Slot stated Elliott would be rejoining the Reds this summer and voiced regret over how the situation had developed. Whether Elliott would have been given the chance to resurrect his career under Slot remains unknown, but it appears unlikely.
Simply put, Iraola represents a clean slate for Elliott. The 23-year-old has repeatedly shown a readiness to press high and a sharp instinct for goal, meaning that, if given the chance to flourish, Iraola and Elliott could prove to be an ideal partnership at Anfield.