Arne Slot responds to Harvey Elliott situation after Unai Emery's blunt transfer statement

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Harvey Elliott has been linked with a return to Liverpool because he is not getting minutes with Aston Villa, but the ball is in the Midlands side's court as things stand

Unai Emery and Harvey Elliott during Everton vs Aston Villa(Image: Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images)

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot says questions about Harvey Elliott should be directed to Unai Emery given the midfielder is currently an Aston Villa player.

The Spanish coach has made clear in recent weeks that the Midlands side doesn't intend to sign the player permanently, though Elliott has struggled for game time recently having moved to Villa Park in the summer.

With Liverpool light of numbers, it has been suggested that the Reds could look to bring him back into the fold, even though he was mainly used as a substitute last season by Slot, with his limited game time the reason he sought to move on.

But Slot gave a short response to a question on the 22-year-old during his press conference ahead of facing Arsenal.

"If you want to ask about a Villa player, ask Unai Emery," Slot said. "Liverpool has no recall option."

Last week, Emery made clear that he doesn't want Elliott anymore. The player was signed when it looked like Emi Buendia was about to leave, but the Argentine ended up staying put and has since regained his manager's trust.

Elliott has endured a difficult spell at Aston Villa(Image: Photo by Lars Baron - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

"The problem we have with Harvey is that this year he is on loan, and in case he plays matches, we must buy him," Emery said last week.

"We decided two months ago that we are not convinced to sign him, spending the money we would need to sign him. This is the only issue.

"He is training every day, always every day, with very good behavior, and to help us in training sessions.

"This is not something good for him and good for us, but this is football, and sometimes we must take some decisions which are not good for everyone."

There is no recall clause in the terms of the deal that saw Elliott move to Aston Villa. As a result, the onus will be on the Midlands team to initiate talks over ending the arrangement.

In that instance, Villa would be expected to pay a fee to terminate the loan early, and potentially even contribute to Elliott's wages. The expectation was that Elliott would end up signing for the Premier League side permanently.

Given that he has already played for both Liverpool and Aston Villa this season, Elliott cannot sign for another club in Europe.

That saw the MLS outfit Charlotte FC linked last week, though it is said the player has little appetite for such a move.