Elliott breaks silence over Liverpool future and failed Aston Villa loan amid contract uncertainty

30 Jul 2026 18:01 BST | 4 min read

Suraj Radia | Editor

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Harvey Elliot has opened up over his Liverpool future following his frustrating loan spell at Aston Villa last season, with the midfielder facing uncertainty in the final month of the summer transfer window.

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Elliot joined Villa on deadline day last summer, with the loan turning into a permanent deal for €40 million if he made ten or more appearances – something Villa were reluctant to do – leading to the 23-year-old playing just 110 minutes of Premier League football all season.

The situation has left Elliot fighting for his Liverpool career as he enters the final year of his contract but the former England under-21 international insisted he has no hard feelings about the experience and was looking forward to reviving his career under Andoni Iraola.

Current ETV

Harvey Elliott

M (C), F (R)

Liverpool

Harvey Elliott

M (C), F (R)

Liverpool

ETV Range

€25.6M - €31.3M

“Everyone knows how much I love [Liverpool] so the feeling never goes of putting the shirt back on, representing the club, and fulfilling your childhood dream,” said Elliott, a boyhood Liverpool fan. “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.”

Elliott satisfied with Aston Villa loan spell as Liverpool contract winds down

New Liverpool boss Iraola has insisted he will give Elliott a fair chance to prove his worth, with the player having fallen out of favour under previous manager Arne Slot.

Elliott had been hoping to either secure a new long-term contract with Liverpool or a permanent move to Villa but, despite the situation, he insisted he had not endured a ‘lost year’, having won the Europa League with Unai Emery’s side.

“I wouldn’t say it was a lost year because, at the end of it, I won the Europa League. To have that on my CV is incredible, especially with Villa. I saw with my own eyes how much it meant for them and I wouldn’t say it’s a lost year when you achieved something like that, because that’s selfish,” Elliot said.

“It was a situation I couldn’t control. It was just a case of accepting it, and just trying to get my head clear and get myself in the best position to come back here, and I tried as hard as I could. I still feel like I can get better and I’m working as hard as I can to do that.”

© IMAGO - Harvey Elliott barely featured for Aston Villa during his loan spell last season.

He added: “[Emery] explained very, very clearly and a fair few times. The whole club were very apologetic about the situation and, ultimately, it was a situation that I couldn’t control,” Elliott said. “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.”