Harvey Elliott has demonstrated his readiness for a fresh start under new Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola, who has hinted that the midfielder could have a future at Anfield. Elliott endured a disastrous loan spell at Aston Villa, barely featuring under Unai Emery, who decided against signing the attacking midfielder permanently.
Disappointing Loan Spell at Aston Villa
A £35 million option to buy would have been triggered if Elliott made 10 Premier League appearances. In the end, he managed just four, plus four in the Europa League and one in the Carabao Cup. Having already played for Liverpool at the start of the season, he was unable to join a third club in January, when Villa's attempt to send him back to Anfield was denied.
The bizarre situation saw the 23-year-old's career stall, but the 2026/27 season offers him a chance to prove himself to Iraola, who has stated that all players will have a clean slate. Elliott has shown he means business by working with one of his former QPR coaches, Scott Chickelday, ahead of pre-season.
Training Hard to Impress
The attacking performance coach, who runs the SC9 service, posted a clip of Elliott in action on the training ground and wrote: "The hard work never stops!! Back in with @liverpoolfc attacker @harvelliott looking sharp! The movement on the ball on the first finish."
Elliott won't be the only player looking to impress Iraola following a difficult campaign under Arne Slot. Speaking after his unveiling, the former Bournemouth boss said: "We've analysed Liverpool a lot – possible weaknesses, the strengths. 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."
Clean Slate for All Players
Iraola added: "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." He also mentioned his familiarity with Milos Kerkez, saying: "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."
Those words will be music to Elliott's ears, meaning he is likely to be treated the same as any of his teammates upon his return to the club this summer. With many Reds stars returning later because of the World Cup, he could get some early chances to impress in pre-season.
