Harvey Elliott left Liverpool for Aston Villa in the summer transfer window in hopes of securing more regular playing time — something he struggled to find at Anfield.
The 22-year-old, known for his versatility, saw limited opportunities under Arne Slot last season, which ultimately pushed him to consider a move. Unai Emery seemed ready to offer him a fresh start by bringing him to Villa on loan.
But despite making seven appearances and scoring just once, Elliott has yet to make the breakthrough he hoped for. With only four Premier League outings so far, questions are growing over whether he might return to Liverpool as early as January.
Although Villa are obligated to make the deal permanent for £35 million, the situation may shift sooner than expected. Former Aston Villa CEO Keith Wyness spoke about Elliott’s circumstances on Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast:
“I’m surprised, because I rate him highly, but it seems he just hasn’t convinced Emery. There’s also a theory going around — if he reaches 10 appearances, the obligation to buy becomes active. Liverpool may want him back, so if he doesn’t hit that number, a return could be on the cards. Many Liverpool fans I’ve spoken to would prefer seeing Elliott play rather than some of the new, expensive signings.”
So far, Emery hasn’t managed to get the best from Elliott, and with Villa’s current situation, a January recall is a realistic possibility. Elliott is struggling for minutes at Villa, while Liverpool are dealing with a shortage of midfield options — an area where Elliott proved valuable off the bench last season.
Whether letting him leave was a mistake is still up for debate, but one thing is certain: Arne Slot’s squad would benefit from having Elliott available. If you want, I can also create a shorter version, a headline, or a more dramatic social-media style rewrite.
