Aston Villa signed Harvey Elliott on loan from Liverpool during transfer deadline day last summer, but the England international has barely played for Unai Emery
Harvey Elliott
Harvey Elliott is due back at Liverpool this summer(Image: Mike Egerton/PA Wire)
View 2 Images
Harvey Elliott will still be a Liverpool player at the start of next season after spending the current campaign not playing on loan at Aston Villa. After agreeing a £35million obligation to buy the England international on the condition he played 10 Premier League matches for the Midlands side, he has not even managed half of that amount.
Elliott, 23, has made just four appearances in the league, but only one of those has come since the end of September. He featured the same number of times during their run to the Europa League final, although his appearances in the knockout stages were late cameos.
Emery spoke about the situation before Villa hosted the Reds on Friday night. He said: "It is something embarrassing for everyone involved.
"My apologies for Harvey Elliott is every day in my mind, but it is [about] responsibility; we have our responsibility, and Liverpool have their responsibility. It is something, as a human and as a person, how the season has gone has been difficult."
Emery added: "To now explain about the reason for this decision is very difficult. Or it is easy, but it is not the moment."
Slot also spoke about Liverpool's plan for next season, saying: "He is contracted to us, so he will be with us at the start of next season." The midfielder will therefore return months after emotionally saying goodbye to his boyhood club.
FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook page
Upon initially joining Villa last summer, Elliott penned on social media: "When I joined Liverpool in 2019, it was a dream come true for my family and me. As a young child, I travelled the world supporting the team as a fan, and words will never be able to explain the feeling I had when I pulled on that famous red shirt for the first time as a player.
"Over the course of the last six years, I've experienced so much and grown from a young 16-year-old boy into a man during my time at the club. Growing up, I could never have imagined that I'd go on to play 150 games for my boyhood team, winning seven major trophies and culminating in being part of the squad to have won the Premier League last season with such a special group.
"Thank you to everybody at the club for welcoming me from the very first day I arrived and for looking after me ever since. Thank you to the board and Jürgen Klopp for helping me live my dream of becoming a Liverpool player.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot during a Champions League press conference.
Arne Slot allowed Harvey Elliott to leave(Image: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
View 2 Images
"To Arne Slot, all of the coaches and staff who have helped me along the way, and, of course, my teammates, it's been a privilege to play with you all, and I feel lucky to have made so many lifelong friends along the way. To the incredible Liverpool fans, thank you for making me one of your own and for always supporting me through both good and tough times. I'll always cherish the bond we have together. I will always have Liverpool in my heart.
"It's now time for a new challenge. I am incredibly ambitious and feel that, at this stage of my career, it's important to be in an environment where I'm able to have the opportunity to play and progress as much as possible. Thank you all for everything. See you soon! YNWA"
Elliott's spell at Villa has not gone as planned – for player or either club. But, to his credit, the 23-year-old hasn't let the situation affect him. He has been widely praised for his professionalism during his time at Villa Park.
Stuart Pearce told talkSPORT in February: "I really feel for Harvey Elliot because, you know, you speak to people at Villa and they've only got positive things to say about him in terms of his attitude and application in training every day. It's just really unfortunate that, for whatever reason, Emery doesn't seem to fancy him, doesn't want Villa to have to pay the 35 million pounds that's written into the agreement if he plays 10 or more appearances for Villa this season, so he's stuck in limbo."
While Emery himself admitted in December: "He’s a fantastic guy. On Sunday, he was on the bench, and if we needed some help from him, he was ready to do it."
RB Leipzig could be the club to offer Elliott what he hoped Villa would if they revive their interest from last summer. The player agreed a four-year contract with the Bundesliga club, according to the Mirror, with former boss Klopp playing a role in their interest.
Leipzig, though, were unable to agree a fee with the Reds, and a late move to Villa materialised instead. With a year less on his contract and after barely playing this season, Elliott could be available at a reduced fee for another potential suitor.
Buy Blood Red, our monthly Liverpool FC print publication for just £3.50 by clicking here