Harvey Elliott is desperate to win back his place at Liverpool after a dismal loan spell at Aston Villa, where he made just nine appearances but still picked up a Europa League winners' medal. The forward spent last season at Villa Park but found himself out of Unai Emery's plans, and Liverpool refused to cut his loan short.
Elliott has now returned to Liverpool and featured in both pre-season matches under Andoni Iraola. He remains uncertain about his future, telling reporters: "I'm not too sure yet [if he fits into Iraola's plan]. That's a conversation for me to have more in detail with him. Right now I'm just thinking about making sure I'm physically and mentally 100 per cent, and trying to impress on the pitch."
"When it comes to the right time for asking him, that's when I'll go and ask. But, ultimately, it's just down to me, as long as I'm putting in the effort, the hard work and the desire on the pitch, then I feel like I have the opportunities to go in and ask."
Uncertainty over future
Elliott has spent seven years at Liverpool, the club he supported as a boy, and is desperate to play his way back into contention. "Everyone knows how much I love the club, I've supported them from a very young age, so the feeling never goes, of putting a shirt back on and representing the club, and doing your childhood dream," he said.
He acknowledged the need to be more cautious in his decisions. "I need to be more cautious in my decisions. Ultimately, I'm still wanting to be selfish, from that aspect of doing what's right for me, and whether I'm staying here and fighting for my place, or whether that's potentially going elsewhere, I'm still unsure at this moment until I get some more intel."
Loan spell not a waste
Despite the limited opportunities, Elliott does not regret the loan move. "I wouldn't say it was a lost year, because at the end of it I won the Europa League, and to have that on my CV is incredible, especially with Villa," he said. "It's a situation I couldn't control. It was just a case of accepting it, and trying to get my head clear and in the best position to come back here, and I tried as hard as I could."
"Mentally, it was a very tough one. It was a learning curve, as much as I didn't want it, and I don't wish it upon any other player, because it's not nice at all. It was tough, mentally and physically, but I'm on the other side of it now. My focus is on this season, at Liverpool, and I just need to see what happens."
