Harvey Elliott is hoping to get his Liverpool career back on track following a brutal loan spell at Aston Villa, where the midfielder barely played under Unai Emery
12:27, 13 Jul 2026Updated 12:32, 13 Jul 2026
Harvey Elliott is hoping to get a chance under Andoni Iraola
Harvey Elliott is hoping to get a chance under Andoni Iraola(Image: Getty Images)
Harvey Elliott has already impressed new Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola by showcasing his "eagerness" in training.
Elliott, 23, has returned to Liverpool's first-team squad after a nightmare spell with Aston Villa. This time last year, the midfielder joined Villa on a season-long loan deal that included an obligation to buy him if he made a certain number of appearances.
Villa boss Unai Emery was unconvinced by Elliott and, due to the nature of the transfer, rarely used him to avoid reaching that threshold. The Englishman has since returned to Merseyside, although it's unclear whether he'll stay there beyond the summer.
Yet Iraola has promised to give each player a chance to impress him before making a decision. Elliott returned to preseason training early and is trying his best to convince his new boss that he belongs at Anfield after a brutal season in the West Midlands.
Iraola was asked about Elliott's future during his opening press conference on Monday and spoke highly of the young star. "Harvey is here with us," declared the new Liverpool boss.
"I have seen him with the eagerness to show up, get super ready. He'll have a chance in preseason; we'll need him, and it's a good sign.
Elliott is back at Liverpool
Elliott is back at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
"I hope we can see him in a good place. I think Harvey comes from last season. (It) had to be difficult for him; strange situation. They couldn't even play him, and I think he uses this experience — the bad situation — to make himself even more eager to be a Liverpool player."
Liverpool is expected to bring in fresh talent this summer after Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate all left the club. There's also speculation about Alisson Becker's future, while Virgil van Dijk is entering the final season of his contract.
And there's no guarantee that Hugo Ekitike will play during the upcoming season after suffering a serious Achilles tendon injury in April. It's hoped that he will return by Christmas, but it can take more than a year to recover from such an injury.
While winger Victor Munoz and defender Jeremy Jacquet have joined the first team this summer, there are still gaps in Iraola's squad. Elliott will be hoping to grab one of those spots.
Speaking about his squad assessment, Iraola said: "I talked to the players, the staff, to things we're working well on and what we want to do differently, not better, different. I have the advantage; the players know what we want to demand in terms of style of play.
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"I ask players where they are comfortable, so I can understand it. I see them train, make some tests in preseason, and then take decisions from that.
"World Cup's impact? We cannot change it; they deserve a break of three weeks so they can enjoy their time with friends, family. They need a rest after a busy season. And I think I am looking at the positives. I've had one week to see the U21s. First-team players there before too, some of them, so they are in a better shape.
"I've seen a few here today who are ready for testing tomorrow, so I get in touch with every player and the young players and loan players — more minutes on the pitch. Academy players, maybe I wouldn't know them normally, but now I get to know them more."