Harvey Elliott handed Liverpool lifeline by Andoni Iraola as new boss makes intentions clear

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Harvey Elliott has been given a major hint over his future by new Liverpool boss Andoni IraolaLiverpool's appointment of Andoni Iraola could give Harvey Elliott a fresh start at Anfield. However, after agreeing a £35million obligation to buy the England international, subject to him playing 10 Premier League games for Villa, he played just 9 times for the Midlands outfit and was left out of the squad for much of the season.Once a burgeoning talent, threatening to make the right side of midfield his own for Liverpool, Elliott has essentially wasted a whole season of development at an age he should be starting week in, week out for a team.It'll sting even more knowing it was a World Cup year.

Speaking in his first interview as the club's new head coach, the Basque gave players, like Elliott, hope that they can make an impression and fight their way back into contention at Liverpool."We've analysed Liverpool a lot – possible weaknesses, the strengths," Iraola said. For me, you are all new signings and I think we have a lot of quality in our squad, and [I'm] really looking forward to working with them."I only had, I think, Milos [Kerkez] in the squad before – I know a couple.

Reportedly, Villa wanted Elliott to return to Anfield in January, but the clubs couldn’t reach an agreement.It's been a humiliating and unnecessary saga for Elliott, a player who's always been fully committed to Liverpool since he joined from Fulham in July 2019. Speaking in May, Slot claimed Elliott would be heading back to the Reds at the start of next season and expressed regret at how the situation had panned out.Whether Elliott would have had a chance to reignite his career under Slot, we'll never know - but it seems unlikely.Likewise, Villa boss Unai Emery was also remorseful.