Harvey Elliott‘s Liverpool career was over. He left last summer and we thought that was that. However, a strange quirk of his contract and a new coach could have saved him.
When Elliott left for Aston Villa, it was seen as a formality that his loan deal would become permanent because he only needed to make 10 appearances to trigger the transfer.
This kind of contract clause is usually only inserted to allow clubs to send and receive payments across different fiscal years. It was supposed to be ceremonial.
Something changed at Villa after his arrival, though. Where the blame lies isn’t entirely clear. Unai Emery evidently didn’t fancy him from the off, which makes you question why he was brought in at all.
Aston Villa's Harvey Elliott (right) celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game during the Carabao Cup third round match at the Gtech Community Stadium, London. Picture date: Tuesday September 16, 2025.
Aston Villa's Harvey Elliott (right) celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game during the Carabao Cup third round match at the Gtech Community Stadium, London. Picture date: Tuesday September 16, 2025.
Despite the player’s professionalism, the decision was clearly then taken not to give Elliott his 10 games so Villa wouldn’t trigger the subsequent £35 million move.
In the end, the 23-year-old played just 284 minutes across the entire campaign.
Andoni Iraola has already praised Harvey Elliott
So, with the Midlands mare behind him, Elliott returns to Liverpool with Arne Slot gone and Andoni Iraola offering a fresh start.
Having returned slightly early to begin his fitness work, Iraola explained why he has already been impressed with Elliott:
“Harvey is here with us. He has come [in early] also.
“I’ve seen him with this eagerness to show himself, to get himself ready again. He will have a chance during the pre-season; we will need him.
“It’s a good sign that he came a week earlier – he’s been training with the under-21s – and I hope we can see him in a good place.
“I think, Harvey, last season had to be very difficult for him because it was a strange situation where basically they couldn’t even put him in to play.
“I think he uses what he has experienced, the bad situation, to make him even more eager to be a Liverpool player.”
Iraola brings a new set of eyes and a fresh perspective on Elliott, but it doesn’t guarantee he will be a favourite of the new manager.
Has Harvey Elliott’s versatility been a vice?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 5, 2024: Jurgen Klopp Manager of Liverpool and Harvey Elliott of Liverpool during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. (Photo by Ryan Brown/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 5, 2024: Jurgen Klopp Manager of Liverpool and Harvey Elliott of Liverpool during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. (Photo by Ryan Brown/Propaganda)
It is sometimes said in football that a player’s versatility can be his weakness. This is a scenario where the phrase could apply.
Most fans would suggest that attacking midfield is Elliott’s strongest position.
Jurgen Klopp liked the player and used him as a midfielder, but there wasn’t room in the German’s system for a No. 10 with freedom.
Instead, Elliott played as an all-action midfielder and often did an excellent job. With no real replacement for Mo Salah on the right, though, Elliott would often deputise as a winger.
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Season Starts Subs (On) Total Apps
2019/20 6 2 8
2021/22 6 5 11
2022/23 25 21 46
2023/24 27 26 53
2024/25 6 22 28
Nobody could replicate the Egyptian and definitely not someone with Elliott’s lack of pace. The same will be the case with Iraola, the new coach preferring fast, dynamic wide men.
In theory, Slot’s arrival should have suited the youngster, but the Dutchman didn’t tend to rotate from his first XI.
As a result, he didn’t start a single Premier League match until the title had been won in 2024/25.
Elliott has frequently been the player asked to fill in, to play positions in which he isn’t a natural fit. And of course he has done it, done it well in fact.
As a boyhood Liverpool supporter and professional, you would expect nothing less.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 25, 2025: Liverpool's Harvey Elliott celebrates with the trophy after the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 25, 2025: Liverpool's Harvey Elliott celebrates with the trophy after the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
However, this tendency to have been moved around has seen him fail to nail down a consistent run as an attacking midfielder.
An opportunity to finally change that could come with Iraola in the dugout, but Elliott will have the £116m signing, Florian Wirtz, ahead of him.
How Andoni Iraola can use Harvey Elliott
There are many similarities between Klopp’s style of play and how Iraola wants to attack. The Basque coach wants to keep the action in the opposition half.
Direct attacks and intense counter-pressing are hallmarks of the coaches’ teams. There are differences, though, one main discrepancy being Iraola’s use of a No. 10.
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola after the Carabao Cup second round match at the London Stadium. Picture date: Wednesday August 28, 2024.
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola after the Carabao Cup second round match at the London Stadium. Picture date: Wednesday August 28, 2024.
Klopp’s side developed in a manner that saw the wingers and full-backs provide the Reds’ creativity, but before that, Philippe Coutinho was the creator in chief.
In the months ahead of his exit, he was magnificent as a midfielder, giving ammunition for Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Salah.
There is room in Iraola’s team for a player like this. He won’t be relieved of his responsibilities, far from it, but the man in question will be given the right to roam 20 yards around the edge of the box.
In theory, this is where Elliott would thrive. There is just the matter of Wirtz being above him in the pecking order.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, August 4, 2025: Liverpool's Harvey Elliott celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Athletic Bilbao at Anfield. Liverpool won 4-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, August 4, 2025: Liverpool's Harvey Elliott celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Athletic Bilbao at Anfield. Liverpool won 4-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The Englishman may not make the boss’ first XI come the first day of the season, but there will be plenty of time to make an impact, which could in turn take some pressure off Wirtz.
For Liverpool to enjoy a successful season in cup competitions, they will likely need to play about 60 games. Wirtz will not start them all.
Football is increasingly a squad game and this was a notion that Slot failed to adopt.
Elliott can still have a big part to play, even if he isn’t Iraola’s first-choice attacking midfielder. However, seven years on from his Liverpool debut, he may decide the time for playing second fiddle is over.
Nyoni, Gomez collage
Nyoni, Gomez collage
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