NEW YORK, USA - Wednesday, July 29, 2026: Liverpool's Harvey Elliott before a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Wrexham AFC at Yankee Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
NEW YORK, USA - Wednesday, July 29, 2026: Liverpool's Harvey Elliott before a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Wrexham AFC at Yankee Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Andoni Iraola could give no assurances to Harvey Elliott after the 23-year-old was left out of the squad for Liverpool’s Premier League opener against Newcastle.
Elliott was a notable absentee as Liverpool kicked off the new campaign with a 2-2 draw at Newcastle.
Despite returning for pre-season early and both training and playing throughout, the midfielder was simply not selected for the trip to St James’ Park.
Asked about Elliott’s situation, Iraola admitted he “preferred other options,” namely James McConnell, in a stark verdict on his future.
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's Harvey Elliott during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's Harvey Elliott during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“With Harvey, with [Luke] Chambers, with some of the players that I decided – because I can only choose 20 – to leave out, it’s a matter of finding the balance on the bench,” he told reporters on Thursday.
“In Harvey’s case, he’s trying, he’s improving every week, but I still prefer other options.
“Probably I was in doubt with James McConnell in terms of getting into the squad, and I decided to put James in the squad.
“But it’s another new week, new chances for everyone, and they have to keep that mentality.”
While in theory Elliott has another chance to impress ahead of the visit of Nottingham Forest on Saturday, This Is Anfield understands Liverpool are open to offers for their No. 19.
After a failed loan spell at Aston Villa, there is a sense that, even though he qualifies as homegrown, Elliott cannot take up one of 25 places in the senior squad for the Premier League and Champions League if he won’t play.
Liverpool do, of course, still need to find a buyer if they are to move him on, and so far there have been no formal expressions of interest.
The same applies to Federico Chiesa, though the Italian missed the draw with Newcastle through a legitimate injury rather than any selection call.
Andoni Iraola explains new Federico Chiesa injury
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 8, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola speaks to substitute Federico Chiesa (L) during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco FC at Anfield. Monaco won 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 8, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola speaks to substitute Federico Chiesa (L) during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco FC at Anfield. Monaco won 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“Different circumstances,” Iraola said of Chiesa.
“Fede is not available, in the game against Como he felt something. It’s a small muscle injury and he’s not available.”
Chiesa is not expected to take part in the 12.30pm kickoff against Forest either, but though he has been linked with a return to Italy, This Is Anfield understands Liverpool have also received no offers for the forward.
Football – FA Premier League – Newcastle United FC v Liverpool FC
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 22, 2026: Liverpool players stand for a moment of applause in memory of Kevin Keegan, who passed away in July after his battle with stage four cancer, before the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. The game ended in a 2-2 draw. (L-R) Rio Ngumoha, Jeremie Frimpong, Ryan Gravenberch, Alexander Isak, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk, Jeremy Jacquet, Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo, Milos Kerkez. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
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