Liverpool could be on verge of Harvey Elliott U-turn after Andoni Iraola update | Football | Sport
Liverpool‘s appointment of Andoni Iraola could offer Harvey Elliott a renewed opportunity at Anfield. The 23-year-old was a consistent presence under Jurgen Klopp, appearing in the German’s squad throughout the closing years of his tenure. Following Arne Slot’s arrival in the summer of 2024, Elliott started to see his chances diminish. He made 28 appearances under the Dutchman, a considerable reduction from the 53 and 46 he recorded in the two preceding campaigns under Klopp.
Having secured the Premier League title under Slot, the England midfielder was loaned to Aston Villa in September 2025. However, despite agreeing a £35million obligation to purchase the England international, conditional upon him featuring in 10 Premier League matches for Villa, he appeared just 9 times for the Midlands club and was omitted from the squad for much of the campaign.
Once a rising star, poised to establish the right side of midfield as his own for Liverpool, Elliott has effectively squandered an entire season of progression at an age when he should be featuring week in, week out for a side.
It’ll hurt even more considering it was a World Cup year. He was named ‘Player of the Tournament’ for England at the U21 Euros, yet with Slot’s departure comes a fresh opportunity. Iraola is expected to cast his eye over all his new charges, with every player handed a fresh start to make their mark.
Speaking in his first interview as the club’s new head coach, the Basque manager offered players like Elliott genuine hope of forcing their way back into contention at Liverpool.
“We’ve analysed Liverpool a lot – possible weaknesses, the strengths,” Iraola said. “I think we have a very good squad. I think there is still work to do, like normally in every club in this moment of the season. But right now, for me the thing is to value especially the players that we have right now in the squad.
“For me, and I will tell them, [they] are all new signings. For me, you are all new signings and I think we have a lot of quality in our squad, and [I’m] really looking forward to working with them.
“I only had, I think, Milos [Kerkez] in the squad before – I know a couple. I’ve been talking to a couple before – but it will be lovely also to play again with Milos, try to improve him, try to help him in his development. Yeah, definitely looking forward to it.”
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Harvey Elliott struggled for minutes on loan at Aston Villa (Image: Getty Images)
Those words will come as a considerable boost to Elliott, signalling that the midfielder is likely to be treated no differently to any of his team-mates upon his return to the club this summer. Reports suggest Villa were keen for Elliott to head back to Anfield in January, though the two clubs were unable to strike a deal.
It has been a mortifying and wholly unnecessary ordeal for Elliott, a player who has always remained utterly devoted to Liverpool since arriving from Fulham in July 2019. Speaking in May, Slot claimed Elliott would be returning to the Reds at the start of next season and expressed remorse over how the situation had unfolded.
Whether Elliott would have been given the opportunity to revive his career under Slot remains uncertain — though it appears unlikely.
Harvey Elliott left leave Liverpool to join Aston Villa on loan under Arne Slot (Image: Getty Images)
Similarly, Villa boss Unai Emery was equally contrite. “My apologies for Harvey Elliott are, every day, in my mind,” the Spaniard said.
With Liverpool seeking to reshape their midfield and attack, Elliott’s inclusion for the forthcoming campaign appears an absolute no-brainer. He brings valuable experience, can fill in across central positions and poses a potent attacking threat from the right — something that will be sorely missed in Mohamed Salah‘s absence next season.
Put simply, the Reds’ new boss represents a fresh start for Elliott. The 23-year-old has consistently shown a willingness to press high up the pitch and a keen eye for goal, meaning that, should he be afforded the opportunity to truly flourish, Iraola and Elliott could prove to be a match made in heaven at Anfield.
