Harvey Elliott rarely gets playing time after his transfer to Aston Villa. The former wonderkid of Liverpool FC is facing criticism.
There are always players who show so much talent at a young age that they get playing time even at the world’s biggest clubs. One of these wonderkids was Harvey Elliott, who debuted for Liverpool FC in 2019 at just 16 years old.
The Englishman has made 149 appearances for the Reds since then, scoring 15 goals and providing 20 assists. However, after Jürgen Klopp’s departure – in whose final season at Anfield Elliott played 34 league games – and the appointment of Arne Slot, the playing time of the now 22-year-old increasingly decreased. So he decided this summer to transfer on loan to Aston Villa.
Things aren’t going according to plan for Harvey Elliott at Aston Villa
Elliott’s plan threatens to fail
“It was very difficult. First the decision to leave the club, and then finding the best club,” Elliott explained his decision, stating: “The most important thing for me when making the decision was to play in the first team. I need to be in a team where I regularly get minutes. Whether I’m in the starting lineup or coming off the bench. Just having the feeling that I go into matchday knowing I will play, that’s the only way I can improve now.”
But exactly this certainty is missing for Elliott nearly two months after his transfer. After two initial substitute appearances, Elliott only started in the Premier League against Fulham. However, with the score at 1:1, the attacking midfielder was substituted at halftime. The Villans then won the match 3:1.
Dark weeks followed for the former wonderkid. Against Burnley, Tottenham Hotspur, and Go Ahead Eagles, Elliott sat on the bench for over 90 minutes in three consecutive matches across competitions. But the low point so far occurred last weekend in the league match against Manchester City. This time, coach Unai Emery completely omitted the summer signing and didn’t even name Elliott in the matchday squad.
Liverpool wonderkid being sidelined at Aston Villa
Emery later spoke of a “tactical decision” and defended Elliott: “I told him to keep going. We signed Harvey because I believe in him. I’m satisfied with him, he trains well. His commitment is fantastic, he’s a good guy.”
Harvey Elliott awaits his breakthrough at Aston Villa
Nevertheless, Elliott still only has 167 minutes of playing time in five matches for Aston Villa. His only goal came in the League Cup against Brentford.
Despite the recent protective words, Emery had previously challenged the youngster accordingly.
“Harvey is the number 10 in our formation and he has already played some games,” Emery noted, adding: “However, he’s still in the phase of individually adapting to our playing style and the tasks we set him. Of course he trains well, and his attitude is very positive too, but his performances so far haven’t been sufficient.”
The Spaniard further explained: “At the same time, we have other players who can also play as the ten – and they’re currently showing strong performances. So I have different options. That’s the main reason why he hasn’t gotten playing time in recent games.”
To play more in the future, Elliott must “continue working and develop the confidence we need from him through good performances.”
Speculations about purchase obligation: Did Emery even want Elliott?
In England, there are also speculations about another reason for Elliott’s limited playing time. The loan deal concluded in summer is said to include a purchase obligation of around 40 million euros.
However, English media recently reported that this obligation only applies if Elliott plays at least ten games for the Villans. Additionally, a Daily Mail report states that Elliott was never “at the top of Emery’s list for the summer transfer window.” Is this why the youngster is being used so little?
The development around Elliott is particularly surprising because the youngster excelled at the U21 European Championship in summer, scoring five tournament goals and being named the best player of the finals. In the final, he also captained England to the title against Germany’s junior team.
Because of these performances, besides Aston Villa, other notable clubs like Bayer Leverkusen, RB Leipzig, or Elliott’s youth club Fulham were said to be interested in signing him.
Regulations prevent emotional Anfield return
It’s already certain: Due to Premier League regulations, Elliott won’t be in the Villans’ squad on Saturday either. On the tenth matchday, an emotional return to Liverpool would be imminent. However, loaned players aren’t allowed to play against their parent club to avoid influences on the competition.
How connected the former Reds star is to Liverpool was evident even before his summer transfer. On April 27th, LFC won 5:1 against Tottenham and Elliott got into a confrontation with opponent Richarlison, who once played for their big rivals Everton.
He formed a 30 with his fingers to reference the title-less period of Richarlison’s former club. So he also confirmed after the loan to Aston Villa: “The love I feel for Liverpool will always be there, that won’t change.”
Harvey Elliott still feels very connected to Liverpool FC
Currently, however, Elliott must first think about his own situation and fight to get his career back on track.
Before the international break in November, the former wonderkid only has two more chances in home games against Maccabi Tel Aviv and AFC Bournemouth to recommend himself for more playing time after the break.