Harvey Elliott’s loan at Valencia just took a dramatic turn after the club sacked head coach Carlos Corberan, who was “key” to the 23-year-old deciding to move to Spain.
Valencia sit at the bottom of La Liga having picked up a solitary point from their opening five games, managing just one goal and conceding 10.
The Athletic described Corberan’s conversations with Elliott as “key” when the out-of-favour Red was contemplating his immediate future.
Elliott has played 64 minutes in a possible two games, both appearances off the bench, but was expected to be trusted by Corberan during what is a crucial season to get his career back on track.
3FF5961 Valencia, Spain. 6th Sep, 2026. Harvey Elliott (Valencia) Football/Soccer : Spanish LaLiga EA Sports match between Valencia CF - FC Barcelona at the Estadio de Mestalla in Valencia, Spain . Credit: Mutsu Kawamori/AFLO/Alamy Live News
3FF5961 Valencia, Spain. 6th Sep, 2026. Harvey Elliott (Valencia) Football/Soccer : Spanish LaLiga EA Sports match between Valencia CF - FC Barcelona at the Estadio de Mestalla in Valencia, Spain . Credit: Mutsu Kawamori/AFLO/Alamy Live News
But he will have to prove himself to a new coaching staff again after Valencia sacked Corberan, his first-team coaching staff and football chief executive Ron Gourlay.
Valencia B coach Oscar Sanchez will take over as interim boss as Valencia seek to appoint their 18th permanent head coach since 2012.
Elliott agreed to a season-long loan deal, and the early winless start combined with his head coach being sacked can be considered the worst possible beginning to his time in Spain.
Valencia’s first match without Corberan is a league meeting against Alaves on Tuesday.
Ifeanyi Ndukwe finally makes Levante debut vs. Barcelona
3FGMM40 Ifeanyi Ndukwe (Levante UD) during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Levante UD and FC Barcelona at Estadi Ciutat de Valencia on September 13, 2026 in Valencia, Spain.
3FGMM40 Ifeanyi Ndukwe (Levante UD) during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Levante UD and FC Barcelona at Estadi Ciutat de Valencia on September 13, 2026 in Valencia, Spain.
Liverpool were required to send Ifeanyi Ndukwe on loan this season for the young defender to qualify for a UK work permit, with game time crucial to accumulating the needed points.
He had been left unused for three successive La Liga matches, but came off the bench on Sunday in Levante’s 4-2 defeat to current leaders Barcelona.
His side were 3-0 down when he came on for the final 19 minutes, and they fought back to 3-2, only to concede again in added time with Ndukwe over eager to close down goalscorer Karim Adeyemi.
FotMob rated his cameo 6.1 out of 10 after managing 19 touches and winning only one of the four duels he contested.
Ndukwe’s manager, Luis Castro, spoke positively about the 18-year-old and fellow debutant Petar Ratkov after the match, he said: “They’ve been playing well, but I think they’ll improve.
“Petar has just arrived and has made some tactical errors that he needs to iron out. Ifeanyi has come in well. They are two players I think will help us in the future.”
Ndukwe has been behind Aissa Mandi and Adrian De La Fuente in the centre-back pecking order so far.
Other Liverpool FC loanees
3FAWTX7 Sheffield, UK. 20th Aug, 2026. Kieran Morrison of Sheffield Wednesday during the Sheffield Wednesday vs Bradford City Sky Bet League 1 match at Hillsborough, Sheffield. Picture credit should read: Jake Youle/Sportimage Credit: Sportimage Ltd/Alamy Live News
3FAWTX7 Sheffield, UK. 20th Aug, 2026. Kieran Morrison of Sheffield Wednesday during the Sheffield Wednesday vs Bradford City Sky Bet League 1 match at Hillsborough, Sheffield. Picture credit should read: Jake Youle/Sportimage Credit: Sportimage Ltd/Alamy Live News
As for the rest of Liverpool’s loanees, goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans conceded one goal as Genk drew with KAA Gent, while fellow ‘keeper Armin Pecsi conceded twice in a 2-2 draw for TSV Hartberg.
Kieran Morrison played the full 90 minutes – his second in a row for Sheffield Wednesday – in a goalless draw against Wigan. Kyle Kelly, meanwhile, played 60 minutes in a 4-0 win for Forest Green Rovers.
Keyrol Figueroa was an unused substitute for Port Vale in a 1-0 win over Exeter City, while Calum Scanlon only came off the bench in the dying stages of Cardiff’s 1-0 loss to Bolton.
City LFC Refs
City LFC Refs
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 8, 2026: Liverpool's Wataru Endo during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco FC at Anfield. Monaco won 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
TIA 3 x layout left main
TIA 3 x layout left main