You won’t be blamed if you’re a Liverpool fan and have forgotten Harvey Elliott.
In fact it almost seemed like the club itself did. Elliott went on loan to Aston Villa last season but it was a painful experience that had Villa boss Unai Emery apologising repeatedly in the media.
The midfielder played only 109 Premier League minutes and 284 minutes in all competitions for an entire season at Villa. He made just one league start, which against Fulham in September where he was substituted at half-time.
“My apologies for Harvey Elliott are, every day, in my mind,” Emery said. “How the season has gone has been difficult.”
Elliott hardly played for Liverpool in the 2024-25 season so he left on loan the following summer to Villa, where he was supposed to get minutes. But the loan deal came with a £35m obligation to buy if Elliott played up to 10 league games, and because Villa did not want to activate that clause, they played Elliott for only four.
In January they were willing to return Elliott to Liverpool but both sides could not agree on a deal.
“Everyone knows how much I love the club.” ❤️
Harvey Elliott is loving the feeling of representing Liverpool again:
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 30, 2026
Elliott Back at Liverpool for Pre-Season
The England U-21 international has rejoined the club for their pre-season tour of the US. Elliott says he is treating the summer as “a second chance”, hoping to force his way into Andoni Iraola’s plans before the new season.
So far, he has featured in the club’s two pre-season games in the United States.
“Everyone knows how much I love the club so the feeling never goes of putting the shirt back on, representing the club, and fulfilling your childhood dream,” Elliott said.
“But truthfully, yes [I felt it would never happen again], because I wanted a new challenge. I wanted to explore something, come out of my comfort zone, and I thought that would take me on as a player. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out, but the way I see it is it’s kind of a second chance, especially with the gaffer and new coaching staff coming in.
“It’s another chance to impress and hopefully get in their good books. But whatever happened last season, I wish Villa nothing but the very best. I had a lot of love for them and they treated me very well. I’m here now, and I’m trying to cement my spot in the team or within the squad.”
The midfielder said Unai Emery had been open with him throughout the season and that the conversations helped him deal with the disappointment of spending much of the campaign on the sidelines.
“He explained very, very clearly and a fair few times,” Elliott said. “The whole club were very apologetic about the situation and, ultimately, it was a situation that I couldn’t control.
“But I knew 100% what the case was. It was like, ‘Ok, I can get over it, I know what the situation is now’.
“It was just about me handling it and showing my professionalism. I’m not that kind of guy who wanted to kick up a fuss and cause problems, because no one really deserves that. It’s just part of football and it was a learning curve for me and an opportunity that I hope I don’t experience again. But it’s a situation where I know I’ve been able to get through it.
“I’m really happy to be back and putting a Liverpool shirt on again. Playing at Liverpool, there’s no better feeling.”
