Abandoned Liverpool star finally ready to make comeback

Liverpool could see a comeback this season. One abandoned star has his opportunity at something very special.

It's all change at Liverpool this summer as Arne Slot is out and a new head coach is in. Now, that coach will almost certainly be Andoni Iraola but the Spaniard is yet to formally sign as of writing.

Article continues under the video

All we know for sure is that the old ways are out the window and suddenly everyone gets to start fresh again. That's massive news for some who didn't get a proper look in under Slot.

Perhaps no one fits that description better than Harvey Elliott. Elliott started just two games in the title-winning Premier League campaign and those came after the title was won.

A fall from grace, then, given he was playing an important role for Jurgen Klopp towards the end of his reign. The 2025/26 season was then an absolute disaster for Elliott as he went off on loan at Aston Villa.

Reluctant to trigger the clause they agreed to, Villa simply didn't play Elliott. He's managed just 112 minutes across the Premier League season and it's a situation that Liverpool did absolutely nothing about.

There was no recall in January when there could have been. Elliott was abandoned and essentially lost a season of his career.

But things have now changed. The playmaker will return to Liverpool this summer and attempt to earn a place under the coach, presumably Iraola.

Slot wasn't willing to give Elliott a proper run in the team to prove himself. Well, perhaps Iraola is different in that regard.

We know that Elliott can be a difference-maker at his best and it may well be that Iraola views him how Klopp did. Chances are certainly good that he holds a higher opinion that Slot did, anyway.

This can be a new start for Elliott. One that could see him finally recapture what makes him special.

Harvey Elliott: Situation Summary

Villa Loan and Stats

As of 3 June 2026, Harvey Elliott has concluded a deeply frustrating domestic campaign on loan at Aston Villa from Liverpool. The 23-year-old English attacking midfielder struggled heavily for game time under Unai Emery, finding himself completely frozen out of the starting lineup. Across the entire season, Elliott was limited to just 284 minutes of action across all competitions, failing to record a single goal or assist. Despite making a brief late cameo during Villa's successful UEFA Europa League campaign, it proved a lost year for his individual development.

Anfield Return and Uncertain Future

With his disappointing loan spell officially over, Elliott is set to return to Merseyside for pre-season training ahead of the 2026/27 campaign. Before his sudden sacking, Arne Slot confirmed the midfielder remains under contract with Liverpool, though external speculation is mounting. Given his lack of competitive minutes over the past two years, incoming Anfield management must evaluate whether to integrate the former England U21 star or cash in on him permanently.