Harvey Elliott has failed to break into Unai Emery's starting XI at Aston Villa after completing a season-long loan move from Liverpool to the West Midlands club last summer
09:46, 14 May 2026Updated 09:52, 14 May 2026
Harvey Elliott will return to Liverpool
Harvey Elliott will return to Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
Arne Slot has confirmed Harvey Elliott "will be with us at the start of next season" after the player was frozen out at Aston Villa.
Elliott, 23, joined Villa from Liverpool last summer. He agreed to a season-long loan deal, with Villa obligated to buy him in the next window. Yet it later transpired that the obligation would only come into effect once the Englishman reached 10 appearances for Villa.
Elliott quickly found himself out of favor under Villa boss Unai Emery, leaving him stuck on nine appearances. The complicated nature of Elliott's transfer — plus Emery's unwillingness to play him — means he's tasted just 284 minutes of first-team action this season.
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Slot was asked about Elliott at his pre-match press conference on Thursday, with Liverpool and Villa meeting in Birmingham the following day. The loanee is ineligible to play against his parent club.
"I think for him (Elliott), everyone, didn't work as out as we wanted it," said Slot.
"Usually sign a player on loan to use him, but hasn't happened a lot. Not for me to answer why that it is, but it is never nice for not many minutes. I assume he played more with us last season, and he went there for more time.
Elliott has barely played this season
Elliott has barely played this season(Image: Getty Images)
"Such a talented player, he did so well at U21 Euros. You want a player like that to play more. But he went to a good team with a lot of good players. Not for me to answer, but it's always a pity when a player like that doesn't play a lot.
"He is contracted to us, so he will be with us at the start of next season."
Elliott's move to Villa Park was supposed to kick-start his promising career. While he made 149 appearances for Liverpool and won several trophies — including last season's Premier League title — the youngster never managed to nail down a starting spot at Anfield.
But his talent was never questioned. As Slot alluded to, Elliott played a starring role in England's triumph at the U21 Euros last summer. He was named the Player of the Tournament.
It's unclear whether Elliott will leave Liverpool again before the upcoming summer transfer window closes. Opportunities are opening up at Anfield, with Mohamed Salah departing and Hugo Ekitike nursing a serious Achilles tendon injury.
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Slot could've done with Elliott this season, in truth, as his squad has been decimated by injuries. The Liverpool boss has struggled to find a consistent XI due to several players lacking full fitness.
Elliott could still finish the season with a trophy, as Villa has reached the Europa League final. The West Midlands club will face Freiburg in Istanbul on Wednesday.
As for Liverpool, Slot's players will end the season without silverware. Yet the Reds do still have plenty to play for; they must win one of their final two games to secure Champions League soccer next season.