Named the U21 European Championship’s best player last summer. Six months later, Harvey Elliot is in a sporting deep, dark hole. Now Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is calling on Liverpool to save the rest of the season for the 22-year-old.
Harvey Elliott felt he was not given enough opportunity by Arne Slot, this summer it ended with a loan to Aston Villa, where a mandatory purchase clause is made active when the 22-year-old has played 10 games. Now Elliot stands with seven, but will surely not get ten. Villa manager Unai Emery makes sure of that. In January, it was a desperate Elliot who wanted to return to Liverpool for the rest of the season, that door was not opened.
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Negotiations are said to have been going on for a few months about a waiver of the purchase clause if Elliot reaches ten games, without result. Now the Villa manager, who has been very honest about not wanting Elliot permanently in the squad, is openly calling on the Liverpool management to understand what needs to be done.
“There are two ways to look at this. A sporting consideration and a business consideration. I’m open to playing with Elliott, because he can help us. But that’s just my side of the story. On the other side is Liverpool,” the Villa manager begins in the press conference before the Bournemouth game.
“Several months ago, Aston Villa and Liverpool started a dialogue to have the clauses in the agreement removed, but they were not successful. I said to him: ‘My sporting decision is that you deserve to play’. But the clauses are fixed there, and it is Liverpool who hold the key. I’ve told him that I think it’s fair for him if Liverpool remove the clauses,” Emery continued.
Who believes both clubs have a responsibility to get the 22-year-old back on the development track.
“Of course he will play. He is very passionate about it. I also know very well that we have hurt him. We have an agreement with Liverpool and we are trying to make a responsible decision,” Emery concluded.
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The ball is sent over to Anfield. We believe Liverpool management must now give Elliot what he deserves: the opportunity to play for the rest of the season.
