Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola has said Harvey Elliott was omitted from the Reds squad to face Newcastle last weekend due to needing to find "balance on the bench"
Harvey Elliott.
Harvey Elliott was omitted from Liverpool's squad to face Newcastle last weekend(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola has said he left Harvey Elliott out of the Liverpool squad to face Newcastle United due to "the balance on the bench," despite the Reds looking light in both attack and midfield.
Liverpool drew its opening Premier League fixture last weekend away at St. James' Park 2-2, with Dominik Szoboszlai netting a stoppage-time penalty to salvage a draw for the Reds.
Elliott, who was spotted in training this week for Saturday's game against Nottingham Forest, was left out of the Liverpool squad to face Newcastle, with the likes of youngsters Lewis Koumas, Trey Nyoni, and James McConnell all preferred to the 23-year-old.
It is unclear whether Elliott will be a Liverpool player come the end of the window, with it thought his career on Merseyside was over last summer after he joined Aston Villa on loan in a deal which was due to become permanent if he hit a certain number of appearances.
However, Aston Villa boss Unai Emery decided not to sign Elliott on a permanent basis, which led to him being used sparingly last term to avoid the obligation to buy the midfielder when he hit his appearance quota.
Elliott made just nine appearances last season, leading to him returning to Merseyside this summer.
Cody Gakpo and Harvey Elliott during a Liverpool training session.
Cody Gakpo and Harvey Elliott during a Liverpool training session.(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
While Iraola has insisted Elliott is training hard and "improving every week," the Spaniard has also admitted that his decision to omit him from the squad to face Newcastle came down to a balancing issue regarding the Reds' bench.
"With Harvey and some others, I could only pick 20 in the squad and it is about finding the balance on the bench," Iraola told reporters.
"Harvey is trying and improving every week but I still prefer other options. I decided to put James McConnell in the squad but it is a new week and new opportunities for everyone."
One individual who believes Elliott needs to move on this summer to secure regular first-team game time is former Scotland striker Ally McCoist.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 09: Harvey Elliott of Liverpool gestures to the fans at full-time following the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco at Anfield on August 09, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
Elliott has been told he should leave Anfield(Image: Getty)
Speaking on talkSPORT in the aftermath of the game against Newcastle, McCoist said he believes Elliott would be a perfect fit on Tyneside under new Magpies boss Matthias Jaissle.
"He wouldn’t look out of place in that Newcastle side and Newcastle are looking for players who are (similar to) the players they’ve lost," said McCoist.
"Obviously, Anthony Gordon would spring to mind. The most important thing, and it’s massively important for Harvey Elliott this season, last season was a write-off. He can’t afford another one like that."
As things stand, Elliott is heading into the final year of his contract with Liverpool, meaning the Reds will likely want to shift him on so as to avoid losing him on a free next year if he does not fit into Iraola's plans.