New Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola is ready to welcome Harvey Elliott back into the fold after a ‘difficult’ season away from Anfield.
Elliott spent last season out on loan to Aston Villa under manager Unai Emery but only managed to bank 109 minutes of action.
And speaking in his first press conference since taking the reins from Arne Slot this summer, Iraola was full of praise for the 23-year-old’s work ethic.
Iraola said: ‘Harvey is here with us, I have seen him with the eagerness to show up, get super ready, he’ll have a chance in pre-season, we’ll need him and it’s a good sign.
‘I hope we can see him in a good place. I think Harvey comes from last season. [It] had to be difficult for him; strange situation. They couldn’t even play him, and I think he uses this experience – the bad situation – to make himself even more eager to be a Liverpool player.’
An obligation to buy clause built into the loan agreement with Aston Villa meant they would be forced to buy Elliott for £35 million once he reached a certain number of appearances for the team.
Harvey Elliott only managed 109 minutes of action for Aston Villa during his loan spell last season
He is now back with Liverpool hoping to prove he can be a part of Andoni Iraola’s side
To avoid the financial hit, Emery kept Elliott on the bench for the second half of the season.
Speaking to reporters in May, the Villa manager apologised for the ‘embarrassing’ situation that cost Elliott a year of development in a key stage of his career.
Emery said: ‘My apologies for Harvey Elliott, is every day in my mind. But it is [about] responsibility. We have our responsibility and Liverpool have their responsibility.
‘Of course, it is something embarrassing for everyone involved. As a human and as a person, how the season has gone has been difficult.’
Elliott has an opportunity to get back on track with Iraola’s arrival as the Spanish manager looks to sign more players and boost the squad in the absence of top players such as Hugo Ekitike and Mohamed Salah.
Two signings have already been made, with Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz joining Liverpool.
