Liverpool Castaway's Future in Limbo After Tough Season

Harvey Elliott's loan move to Aston Villa has not gone as planned, leaving his next steps uncertain.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott's future is in question after a disappointing loan spell at Aston Villa. The 22-year-old left Liverpool in the summer hoping to earn more playing time and boost his chances of making England's World Cup squad, but Villa manager Unai Emery has barely used him. With Villa having an obligation to buy Elliott for £35 million, the high price tag is now seen as too much for potential suitors like Leeds United to afford.

Why it matters

Elliott's lack of playing time at Villa has stunted his development and jeopardized his chances of making England's World Cup team. His future at Liverpool is also uncertain, as the club had planned to move him on permanently. This saga highlights the risks young players face when seeking more minutes through loan moves that don't pan out as expected.

The details

Elliott joined Villa on loan in the summer with an obligation for the club to buy him for £35 million if he made 10 appearances. However, Villa manager Unai Emery has barely played the midfielder, citing a conflict between the sporting and business decisions around the loan deal. With the high price tag, Leeds United has already ruled out a potential move for Elliott this summer.

  • Elliott joined Villa on loan at the start of the 2025-26 season.
  • There was talk of a potential move to Charlotte FC for Elliott during the January 2026 transfer window, but nothing materialized.

The players

Harvey Elliott

A 22-year-old English midfielder who is on loan from Liverpool at Aston Villa.

Unai Emery

The manager of Aston Villa, who has not given Elliott much playing time during his loan spell.

Jurgen Klopp

The former manager of Liverpool, who gave Elliott opportunities when he was at the club.

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What they’re saying

“Bearing in mind Aston Villa have an obligation to buy Elliott for £35m from Liverpool after his loan spell at the end of the season should he make 10 appearances, I would think that the valuation would be too high for Leeds United if they wanted him.”

— Adam Pope (BBC Sport)

“Elliott could be seen a decent signing because he has made more than 200 senior appearances for Liverpool, Fulham, Blackburn Rovers and now Aston Villa.”

— Adam Pope (BBC Sport)

What’s next

Elliott's future will likely be decided in the summer transfer window, when Liverpool and the player himself will have to determine the best path forward, whether that's a permanent move away from Anfield or a return to fight for a spot in Jurgen Klopp's squad.

The takeaway

This situation underscores the risks young players face when seeking more playing time through loan moves that don't go as planned. Elliott's stalled development and uncertain future serve as a cautionary tale for other promising talents looking to accelerate their careers.