When Liverpool signed Harvey Elliott in 2019, it was believed that he could go on to become one of the best English footballers in the world.
The boyhood Liverpool fan looked as if he was fulfilling his potential when he featured 99 times for the club across the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons.
However, he has found game-time hard to come by since. When Arne Slot was appointed Liverpool manager in 2024, he did not see Elliott being a key feature in his plans.
The Englishman was shipped out on loan to Aston Villa in the 2025/26 season, but he played just nine times for the club over the whole campaign as the Villains were reluctant to activate his £35 million buy clause.
Andoni Iraola also didn't see Elliott in his plans and, on September 1, he joined La Liga club Valencia on a season-long loan. The 23-year-old would have been hoping to get his career back on track in Spain, but things haven't turned out as he would have hoped so far.
Valencia Expert Gives Verdict on Harvey Elliott
REUTERS/Pablo Morano
Elliott made his debut for Valencia five days after joining, coming on as a second half substitute against reigning La Liga champions Barcelona. He put in an encouraging performance despite Valencia suffering a heavy 5-0 defeat.
The Fulham academy graduate has failed to kick on from then, though. He has now played six times for the club, coming off the bench in each of those matches. He has played a total of 152 minutes in a white shirt and is yet to record a goal or assist.
In Valencia's most recent match, against Villarreal, Elliott was sent off after picking up two yellow cards in quick succession. He will now miss the club's next match against Elche.
Julian Burgos, who covers Valencia for Spanish publication AS, has now given a brutal review of Elliott following his first few months at the club.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Burgos said: "At the moment, I don’t think he has adapted… he has been a significant disappointment, especially considering he arrived with the pedigree of coming from Liverpool.
"It is true that he has been putting in the work over the last few weeks, and he appears to be in better physical shape.
"Honestly, if the option to terminate the loan arises, Valencia will likely pursue it. With a new sporting director and manager – compounded by the team’s poor form - it seems they will look to undo many of the moves made by the previous sporting director, the Scotsman Ron Gourlay."
Liverpool began the 2025/26 Premier League season as defending champions.
Valencia are currently 19th in La Liga after picking up just six points from their opening 10 matches. Elliott will be hoping to make his mark when Javier Aguirre's side welcome Real Madrid to Mestalla Stadium on Saturday, November 7.