2 days ago
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It wasn't supposed to be this way.
When Harvey Elliott joined Aston Villa on transfer deadline day in September, Liverpool fans hoped this would be his chance to kick-start his Premier League career. After fulfilling his role as a squad player at Anfield, helping the Reds pick up many trophies on the way, the 22-year-old's move to Villa was supposed to be his opportunity to play first-team soccer - one he deserved.
It was even hoped that Elliott would force his way into Thomas Tuchel's England squad for next year's World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. But right now, it feels as if Elliott will be lucky to just get another kick of the ball in the Premier League this term.
Elliott was a solid, if not spectacular, player for Liverpool. He scored 15 goals in 149 games for the Reds, becoming a reliable option off the bench for both Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot.
Yet it was clear that he wasn't going to become a first-team regular at Anfield following Liverpool's decision to sign Florian Wirtz, another 22-year-old attacking midfielder, from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer. Elliott knew this; he knew he would have to leave Liverpool during the summer to have any chance of playing in the World Cup.
Elliott is still waiting for his first senior cap, but the idea of him playing for Tuchel's team next year didn't seem too far-fetched back in September. This was a player who represented England's U21 team a staggering 28 times, helping the Young Lions win the U21 Euros in 2023 and 2025. He was named the Player of the Tournament at the latter event.
There was a feeling that Elliott could force his way into Tuchel's plans if he left Liverpool for regular first-team soccer in the Premier League. And the player himself recognized this.
"If I had my way, I’d be at Liverpool for the rest of my career," Elliott told The Anfield Wrap in July. "I love everything about the club, but at the same time, I kind of need to be selfish and see what’s best for me. I have big ambitions. I want to go to the World Cup. It’s still something I need to review."
The difficult choice
Elliott had two options: stay at Liverpool and continue to win trophies as a squad player, or leave in pursuit of more minutes.
He chose the latter, joining Villa on a season-long loan. The deal included an obligation to buy the midfielder for £35 million ($46.7 million) at the end of the campaign.
At the time, it seemed like a good decision. Elliott was finally going to play regularly for a team that's capable of qualifying for the Champions League and winning trophies. His time at Villa even started on a positive note. He scored against Brentford in the Carabao Cup and featured against Everton, Sunderland, and Fulham in the Premier League.
Yet everything changed in late October. Villa boss Unai Emery left Elliott out of his matchday squad against Manchester City and hasn't played him since, not even in the Europa League.
It soon transpired that Villa would only have to fulfil its obligation to buy Elliott if he played 10 games for the West Midlands club. He's featured just five times for Emery's team, and talks over his future are expected to take place between now and January.
What's next?
The problem for Elliott is that he can't play for another team this season, as he's already represented Liverpool and Villa. According to FIFA's rules, players are allowed to be registered with three different clubs in a season, but they can feature for only two.
So, if Elliott's loan at Villa is terminated, his only option is to force his way back into Slot's plans. And, unless something drastic happens, it's hard to imagine him becoming an immediate starter at Anfield. What makes this even more frustrating for Elliott is the fact that he only played a single minute for Liverpool in the Premier League this season.
"I haven't had contact with him a lot, I think only once or twice, and that was before and after he played Feyenoord away - nothing to do with the fact he played against a former club of mine," said Slot on Friday. "I am aware of his situation, of course.
"I knew how difficult it already was for him over here, so I think I know how he feels at this moment - but you should ask those questions at Villa and not over here."
At the start of the campaign, Elliott would've been dreaming about helping his country win another trophy next summer; he even sacrificed his Liverpool career to chase that dream. Yet that dream has turned into a nightmare.
The future is still bright for Elliott, someone who will play regularly for England one day. Yet that day isn't likely to be between now and July. He'll already have one eye on next summer's transfer window, and Liverpool fans will hope his next move works out.
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