Liverpool monitoring Aston Villa midfielder amid reports of deal

Liverpool declined to add any midfielders to their squad last summer.

That’s despite making £450m worth of improvements to Arne Slot’s Premier League title-winning team. In fact the club’s sporting director Richard Hughes opted to SHIP OUT several midfielders in order to accommodate several new signings elsewhere.

We saw Tyler Morton leave on a permanent deal for Lyon - while James McConnell left on loan for Ajax. One other player who moved on a temporary deal - albeit with a view to a permanent transfer - was Harvey Elliott.

The 22-year-old is a firm favourite of the Liverpool faithful - but fell down Arne Slot’s pecking order rapidly.

Elliott not making the grade at Aston Villa

He had the occasional decent cameo - versus Brentford in the league and Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League - but couldn’t nail down a starting berth.

With a contract expiring in 2027, it was decided that the best thing to do was to cash in. However the offer which was ultimately accepted was a loan deal with an obligation to buy should certain conditions be met.

It came from cash-strapped Aston Villa - who agreed to pay £35m in summer 2026 if Elliott played 10 matches. But things have gone from bad to worse for England U21 international Elliott - who has only played in five games thus far.

The midfield schemer was left out of the squad for the victory against Manchester City last week - and will play no part against the Reds this weekend either due to a clause in his loan deal.

Liverpool still believe Elliott will end up at Aston Villa

It has led to speculation that Elliott will be sidelined by Villa boss Unai Emery - who at this stage appears not to fancy the playmaker.

A report in TBR Football claims Liverpool are “monitoring” the situation right now but do not believe he will be returning to Anfield at the end of the season.

“Villa are insisting Elliott is part of their plans, but it is clear things are not going well,” a report reads.

“He did join with an obligation built in, but in theory, that could possibly see him return. We may not have seen the last of Elliott at Anfield as they also have a buy-back, and Liverpool put that in as they rate him so highly.

“But as it stands, Liverpool firmly believe that he becomes an Aston Villa player and he will be a success for them. But it is fair to say they are monitoring the situation.”

Elliott joined Liverpool in 2019 - playing his part in two Premier League title wins. However his career has stalled and Villa may have second thoughts about paying so much for a bit-part player.

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