Harvey Elliott is already back in Liverpool and training on his own ahead of a return to the AXA Training Centre for the start of pre-season in early July.
Elliott ended last season as part of Aston Villa‘s Europa League celebrations, but truthfully it was a lost year for the 23-year-old.
He played only nine times under Unai Emery and due to the terms of Liverpool’s loan agreement the £35 million purchase clause was not triggered.
That leaves him to report back to the AXA for pre-season training – and Elliott could now be offered a fresh start after Arne Slot‘s sacking.
Frozen out under Slot, the midfielder should be given an opportunity to impress Andoni Iraola, who has pledged to consider every current player a “new signing.”
While Elliott still has over a fortnight off before pre-season begins, he has already resumed training back on Merseyside.
He worked alongside shooting specialist Scott Chickelday on Tuesday morning as he was put through a series of drills to test his finishing.
Chickelday coached Elliott as a youngster in the QPR academy and has continued to work with him in the years since he became a professional.
That has typically seen one-to-one sessions during the off-season to ensure he is in top shape and sharpness before being assessed by his club.
Why pre-season is so important for Harvey Elliott
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, August 4, 2025: Liverpool's Harvey Elliott appluading the fans during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Athletic Bilbao at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
It could be a pivotal time for Elliott and it is therefore commendable that he has cut any trips away short to focus on his football back in the UK.
He spent time in Ibiza earlier in the summer and could still head abroad again before day one of pre-season, with Liverpool’s start date as yet unconfirmed but likely to be in early July.
Elliott is one of a number of players with a point to prove under Iraola, who can work with a strong squad from the start despite the ongoing World Cup.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, December 13, 2023: Liverpool's Harvey Elliott during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Europa League Group E match between Royale Union Saint-Gilloise and Liverpool FC. (Photo by Jessica Hornby/Propaganda)
Liverpool only have seven players at the tournament and the likes of Kostas Tsimikas, Jeremie Frimpong, Joe Gomez, Trey Nyoni, Federico Chiesa, Giovanni Leoni and James McConnell could look to make an impression early on.
Dominik Szoboszlai, Milos Kerkez, Curtis Jones and Rio Ngumoha should also be part of the first group back along with new signing Jeremy Jacquet and 15-year-old winger Josh Abe.
Abe recently committed his future to the club amid more lucrative offers from elsewhere, signing a scholarship deal as well as agreeing a pro contract for when he turns 17.