Harvey Elliott able to show himself on return to Liverpool

Harvey Elliott has admitted he’s decided to profit from his return to Liverpool after describing his mortgage spell at Aston Villa as a troublesome interval in his profession.

The midfielder moved to Villa Park final summer season on a season-long mortgage deal, with an settlement in place that will have seen Unai Emery’s aspect signal him completely for £35 million if he reached 10 appearances.

Nonetheless, Villa opted in opposition to activating that clause early within the marketing campaign, leaving Elliott with simply 9 appearances and 277 minutes of soccer earlier than returning to Liverpool earlier than anticipated.

Emery later labelled the scenario “embarrassing for everybody concerned”, whereas Elliott has now opened up on the challenges he confronted throughout his time away from Anfield.

“I needed to go and discover one thing, come out of my consolation zone and do one thing that I believed personally would take me on as a participant once more,” Elliott stated after Liverpool’s 1-0 pre-season victory over Wrexham in New York.

“However sadly it didn’t work out.”

Elliott raring to go on return

The 23-year-old has since returned to Merseyside and has featured in each of Liverpool’s opening pre-season fixtures below new head coach Andoni Iraola, seeing the chance as a contemporary begin.

“Now I’m right here and it’s type of a second probability, if you wish to name it that,” he added.

“Particularly with the gaffer and new teaching employees coming in, it’s one other probability to impress and hopefully get of their good books.

“I want Villa nothing however the easiest. I had loads of love for them they usually handled me very properly. Sadly, the scenario occurred nevertheless it’s one other studying curve.

“I’m right here now and I’m making an attempt to cement my spot within the workforce or throughout the squad.”

Elliott got here by way of Fulham’s academy earlier than changing into the youngest participant to function in Premier League historical past when he made his debut aged 16. He joined Liverpool in 2019 and initially grew to become a daily below Jurgen Klopp.

Nonetheless, alternatives grew to become extra restricted throughout Arne Slot’s title-winning marketing campaign in 2024-25, with Elliott making 18 Premier League appearances earlier than leaving on mortgage.

Midfielder opens up on psychological difficulties

The midfielder admitted his time at Villa examined him mentally, regardless of ending the season with a optimistic achievement after serving to the membership win the Europa League.

“Mentally, it was a really robust one. It was a studying curve,” Elliott defined.

“It was a possibility for me to expertise one thing new, as a lot as I didn’t wish to do it, and I don’t want it upon some other participant as a result of it’s not good in any respect.

“However I’ve no onerous emotions. I’m on the opposite aspect of it now.

“I used to be in a position to get by way of it and obtain one thing on the finish of the season as properly. To be a part of one other historic second for the membership was an excellent scenario.

“Proper now, I’m simply fascinated about ensuring I’m bodily and mentally 100% and making an attempt to impress on the pitch,” he stated.

“When the fitting time involves ask him [Iraola], that’s after I’ll go and ask.

“In the end, it’s simply right down to me. So long as I’m placing within the effort, onerous work and want on the pitch, then I really feel like I’ve the alternatives.”

Elliott added that returning to Liverpool has reminded him why he loves taking part in for the membership.

“I’m actually completely happy to be again. For the reason that first day I walked by way of the door at coaching, I had a giant beaming smile on my face.

“I’m carrying this strip once more and placing this shirt on, and I simply wish to be free, play as a lot as I can and simply take pleasure in it, as a result of generally I don’t really feel like I do it sufficient.

“Taking part in at Liverpool, there’s no higher feeling.”