Surprise Anfield return is exactly what Arne Slot needs at Liverpool

It goes without saying that the 2025-26 season has been a bit of a rollercoaster for Liverpool.

The Anfield outfit started the campaign by winning five Premier League games in a row and, although they've been on a couple of unbeaten runs since then, there's still a lot more than needs to come from them.

Their recent lack of form has caused questions to be asked about the management as well as players with most fans waiting in anticipation to find out what their club is going to do in the summer.

A hefty chunk of change has already been spent on trying to improve Liverpool's ranks this season but, at the moment, it feels like they're worse off than they were last term.

However, the surprise return of one Liverpool loanee could be exactly what the club needs to lead them into the 2026-27 season.

Arne Slot should consider reintegrating Harvey Elliott into Liverpool's squad

When Harvey Elliott joined Aston Villa on loan during the dying embers of the summer window, most Liverpool fans thought that would be the last time that the Englishman would be a Liverpool player.

The Villans agreed to pay £35 million for the Fulham academy graduate after he'd played 10 games for the club, but, since Unai Emery has changed his tune on the midfielder, it doesn't seem like he's going to hit that number, resulting in a Liverpool return.

Most fans are expecting him to be moved on by Arne Slot and Richard Hughes in the summer but in reality, he could probably put in a good shift for Liverpool if the Dutchman kept him around.

Elliott was Jurgen Klopp's star boy and even though Slot didn't trust him as much as the German, his talent is undeniable.

The fact that he can be used as a midfielder as well as a winger would also be a massive help for Liverpool, especially since Mohamed Salah could end up exiting L4 when his contract expires in June 2027.

Harvey Elliott could help turn things around at Liverpool

Although injuries may have hindered Elliott's progress throughout his career, when he's on form, there's no stopping him.

The midfielder is only 22 years old and has plenty of time to grow into an even better player than he already is.

He would also help Liverpool out regarding their homegrown situation.

Due to how many foreign players Liverpool have among their ranks, Federico Chiesa had to miss out of Liverpool's Champions League squad because they didn't have enough players in their team who were trained in England before their 21st Birthday.

However, since Elliott was and most of his academy years were spent with Liverpool, he'd be classed as homegrown at the club which is an even bigger bonus.

Slot only has a 23-man squad available to him at the moment but, if someone such as Elliott was brought back, he'd give Slot another option to choose from and he'd also help fill a much needed place in Liverpool's squad.

Of course, there's no knowing what the Reds' plans are for the Englishman but, if they do manage to find a place for Elliott in their team next term, he could end up being exactly what Slot is looking for.

🔴 Shop the LFC 2025/26 adidas home range

👉🏻 Liverpool get GREEN light to sign Nico Schlotterbeck

👉🏻 Centre-back confirms he's ready to join Liverpool

👉🏻 Fabrizio Romano CONFIRMS belief £52m Liverpool target will agree move