Harvey Elliott was left 'in tears' by Liverpool transfer decision as Aston Villa nightmare continues

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• Liverpool FC

Harvey Elliott's move from Liverpool to Aston Villa has been a complete disaster so far, with the Englishman now expected to return to Anfield in the January transfer window due to a lack of game time

Harvey Elliott could be making a surprise mid-season return to Liverpool(Image: Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images)

Harvey Elliott was reportedly left in tears when clinching his Liverpool exit to sign for Aston Villa.

The 22-year-old ended his six-year stay at Anfield, albeit temporarily, on deadline day when joining the Midlands club on a season-long loan. The transfer includes an obligation to buy next summer worth $47 million (£35 million) if Elliott goes on to make 10 Premier League appearances.

However, three months on from his switch, it's been a hugely disappointing stint at Villa Park for Elliott who's made just four appearances under Unai Emery. Having not seen the pitch since October 2nd, the Spanish boss all but confirmed Elliott's inevitable departure in January.

The likely sad end to what was heralded as a shrewd signing by Emery has come only several months after Elliott's agonising decision to leave his boyhood club. According to the Mail, the attacking midfielder was left "in tears" when driving away from Liverpool to ink his deal with Villa.

Elliott's last league appearance for Villa came in his 45-minute cameo against Fulham in September and has subsequently been left out of the matchday squad for their last seven league games.

Should an agreement be made to end his loan next month, Elliott's only option is rejoin Arne Slot's squad at Liverpool given FIFA rules do not allow a player to represent more than two clubs in one season.

Harvey Elliott last played for Aston Villa back in October(Image: Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Emery recently admitted that his club have no plans to trigger a permanent deal for Elliott as he said: "First, my decision and also the situation. He is on loan playing with us, but he is not definitely adding to us with a permanent contract.

"Hopefully we can get the best for him and the best for us. I respect him as a player and as a person. He is training well, but we have one circumstance with him. Hopefully we can get a solution for him to try to play consistently and try to continue in his career with us or not."

If Elliott does make his return to Anfield in the January transfer window, it'll mark the exact issue he had when opting to leave in the first place with competition high in attacking positions. Discussing his decision to leave back in September, Elliott insisted: "I need to be in a team where I’m getting regular minutes.

A return to Liverpool next month seems likely for the Englishman(Image: Getty Images)

"Whether that’s starting or coming off the bench, just having that feeling of going into a matchday knowing you’re going to play, that’s the only way I can improve now. The love I have for Liverpool is still going to be there forever, that’s not going to change, I’m still going to be watching and looking out for them from afar.

"I’m wishing them all the very best. But sometimes in football you need to be selfish. I made the decision to leave because I wanted to do what’s best for me." However, Cody Gakpo's injury and Mohamed Salah's participation in the Africa Cup of Nations could spell a window of opportunity for Elliott to make his mark once again.