Harvey Elliott has been tipped to have a "clean slate" under Andoni Iraola after a failed loan move to Aston Villa last term, in which he was seeking more regular game time
22:10, 17 Jun 2026
Harvey Elliott arrives before the Europa League final between Freiburg and Aston Villa.
Harvey Elliott arrives before the Europa League final between Freiburg and Aston Villa.(Image: Aston Villa FC via Getty Images)
Harvey Elliott deserves the chance to have another go at Liverpool after a failed loan spell with Aston Villa. That is the view of ex-Reds striker Emile Heskey.
Last season, Unai Emery quickly made it clear that he had no interest in triggering the clause that would see Elliott's move to Villa Park become a permanent deal. As a result, he was left sidelined for much of the season and even more limited in his playing time.
This summer, an important decision awaits the 23-year-old. After a wasted campaign, he needs to get his next move right. Aston Villa was far from the only team interested a year ago, and he might find some transfer options are resurrected.
Heskey, though, has backed the change of head coach at Anfield to make a difference. Arne Slot was fired, with Andoni Iraola taking over from the Dutchman.
"Elliott definitely deserves another chance," Heskey tells Liverpool.com, on behalf of Live Football Tickets.
"At the end of the day, you don't suddenly become a bad player, do you? He just didn't fit in the system that Unai Emery was playing.
Harvey Elliott celebrates winning the Europa League with Aston Villa
Harvey Elliott struggled for game time at Aston Villa(Image: Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)
"So coming back to Liverpool is a clean slate for him to go and then try and find his feet again, because he's a fantastic player.
"He's shown it with the youth national team, he's shown it at times with Liverpool, popping up at crucial moments and scoring goals.
"So he's got the ability there. It's whether he wants to be a starter or a bit part player. That's the thing that Harvey's got to look at."
Elliott has been training while on holiday this summer, and Iraola has already stated that he will take a look at every player on the Reds' books when he arrives to take pre-season training.
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RB Leipzig was among the clubs to admire Elliott in the last summer transfer window, though it remains to be seen who could come in for him — and at what price point — this time around.
Liverpool.com says: Given that the Reds need more depth in attack, it wouldn't be the worst idea to keep Elliott around. He could play back-up to Florian Wirtz in the No. 10 role, for sure.
Out wide, Elliott lacks pace and isn't going to beat his man that often through speed, but in the center, he has quality. Liverpool cannot leave itself light and has enough work to do in the market as it is.