Harvey Elliott of Liverpool during the Premier League match Liverpool vs Manchester United at Anfield, Liverpool, United Kingdom, 17th December 2023 (Photo by Mark Cosgrove/News Images)
Harvey Elliott of Liverpool during the Premier League match Liverpool vs Manchester United at Anfield, Liverpool, United Kingdom, 17th December 2023 (Photo by Mark Cosgrove/News Images)
Harvey Elliott opened his goalscoring account for Valencia on Tuesday, finding the net in a 6-0 Copa del Rey victory over Tavernes.
The Liverpool loanee made his first start for the Spanish side and completed the full 90 minutes in the first-round tie.
He scored Valencia’s fourth goal with a free-kick in the 23rd minute and appeared to apologise to supporters during his celebration.
Head coach Javier Aguirre said after the match that he sees Elliott playing closer to the penalty area, adding that the midfielder is not entirely comfortable playing out wide.
The goal represents a positive moment in what has been a difficult start to life in Spain.
Elliott joined Valencia on a season-long loan from Liverpool on deadline day after speaking with Carlos Corberan, who was subsequently sacked following a poor start to the campaign.
Before Tuesday’s match, the 23-year-old had made six substitute appearances in La Liga. Valencia have struggled for results and sit 19th with nine points from 12 games.
His most difficult moment came against Villarreal on October 24. After Pape Gueye was sent off for an elbow on Jose Gaya, Elliott received a second yellow card in the 89th minute. Georges Mikautadze scored in stoppage time to seal a 2-1 victory for Villarreal.
Elliott had already been booked for a foul on Mikautadze and was dismissed before play restarted, reportedly over something he said to the referee.
Aguirre described the decision as absurd and ridiculous, while Elliott apologised to his team-mates and supporters.
“I made a mistake and I’m truly sorry. It won’t happen again,” he wrote.
Despite his recent improvement in attitude, questions remain over his long-term future at the club.
According to Valencia reporter Nacho Sanchis, the club have given Elliott five games to make his mark before considering his future.
Sanchis wrote on X: “Valencia cannot terminate the loan unilaterally, and neither can Liverpool. Both parties have to reach an agreement, and Liverpool would only do so if they have another club lined up for him.
“VCF are giving him the 5 games before the break to make an impact for the team. His attitude yesterday was very well received and his quality is beyond doubt, but with his high salary, he has to prove he can help save the club. Otherwise, they’ll try to end the loan in January.”
That run would take him up to the winter break in La Liga.
Elliott’s reported high salary is another factor, with Valencia expecting a greater contribution from a player who is reportedly the club’s third-highest earner. The Spanish side are paying the majority of his wages.
If he fails to make the expected impact, Valencia will push for Liverpool to agree to a mutual termination of the loan. Such a move would require the agreement of both clubs.
In October, reports suggested that Liverpool and Valencia both wanted Elliott to receive more playing time and had no plans to end the arrangement in January. However, Valencia expert Julian Burgos has since told the Daily Mail that the club would likely pursue a termination if the opportunity arose.
Elliott has played 242 minutes across seven appearances this season. His Liverpool contract runs until June 2028, while Leeds United have reportedly been prepared to offer him a route back to the Premier League in January.
Valencia’s next opportunity to assess his contribution comes against Rayo Vallecano on November 21.
🔴En el programa de hoy hemos actualizado la situación de Harvey Elliot
El @valenciacf NO puede rescindir la cesión unilateralmente, el Liverpool tampoco. Han de llegar a un acuerdo las dos partes y el Liverpool solo lo haría si tiene otro club para él.
El VCF le da los 5 partidos previos a parón para sumar en el equipo. La actitud de ayer gustó mucho y su calidad está fuera de duda, pero con la ficha alta que tiene debe demostrar que puede ayudar a salvar al club. De lo contrario en enero se intentará poner fin a la cesión.
— Nacho Sanchis (@sanchis14) November 11, 2026
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