This was supposed to be his big break - now he can't even get on the BENCH
Listen, I've seen some dodgy deals in my time. I've watched clubs shaft players left, right and centre. But what Aston Villa have done to Harvey Elliott? This is a whole new level of DISRESPECT.
Cast your mind back to September 1st. Transfer deadline day. Elliott, 22 years old, England U21 international, two-time Premier League winner with Liverpool, signs for Villa on loan. Big smiles. Handshakes all round. A £35 million obligation-to-buy clause dangling there like a carrot. All he needs to do is play 10 games, and the deal becomes permanent.
Simple, right? WRONG.
Three and a half months later, the lad has made FIVE appearances. Five! And his last one? That was back on October 2nd against Feyenoord in the Europa League. He came on for four minutes. FOUR MINUTES.
Since then? Nothing. Zilch. Nada. He hasn't even made the Premier League squad since October 19th. The boy has been completely FROZEN OUT.
Slot admits he knows the score - but washes his hands of it
So what does Arne Slot have to say about all this? Well, the Liverpool gaffer was asked about Elliott's situation before this weekend's trip to Leeds. And his answer was about as helpful as a chocolate teapot.
I haven't had contact with him a lot, Slot admitted. I think only once or twice, and that was before and after he played Feyenoord away. But that had more to do with him playing against a former club of mine.
Right. So basically, the only reason Slot even bothered picking up the phone was because Elliott was facing Feyenoord. Nice one, Arne. Really feeling the love there.
The Dutchman continued: I am aware of his situation, of course. I knew how difficult it already was for him over here, so I think I know how he feels at this moment. But you should ask those questions at Villa, and not over here when it's about his playing time over there.
Translation? NOT MY PROBLEM, MATE.
The Monchi factor - did Elliott get caught in the crossfire?
Here's where it gets REALLY interesting. When Elliott signed for Villa, it was reportedly Monchi - the club's president of football operations - who pushed hardest for the deal. Monchi saw Elliott as a steal. A young English talent with bags of experience and a point to prove.
Problem is, Monchi left Villa less than a month after Elliott arrived. And the word on the street? He and Unai Emery didn't exactly see eye to eye on transfer targets.
So now you've got Elliott sat there, brought in by a bloke who's no longer at the club, managed by a gaffer who apparently didn't want him in the first place. No wonder he can't get a sniff!
Emery keeps trotting out the same tired excuses. Harvey Elliott, he is working very well. He is a good guy and his commitment to Aston Villa is fantastic, the Spaniard said recently. But now it is difficult because he has other players playing and performing well, for example Emi Buendia.
Ah yes, Buendia. The lad who spent the best part of two years injured and was shipped out on loan to Leverkusen. He's back in favour, and Elliott? He's watching from the stands.
Liverpool are FUMING - and rightly so
Reports suggest the Reds are absolutely livid about this whole situation. And honestly, can you blame them? They sent Elliott to Villa to PLAY, not to twiddle his thumbs in training. The whole point of the move was to get him minutes before the 2026 World Cup.
Instead, he's got 97 minutes of Premier League football. Total. That's less than two games worth. Embarrassing doesn't even begin to cover it.
The really cruel part? FIFA rules mean Elliott can only play for two clubs in a single season. He's already turned out for Liverpool and Villa. So even if he goes back to Anfield in January, he can't be loaned anywhere else. He's STUCK.
Liverpool don't have a recall clause in the deal either. Any mid-season return would need to be negotiated with Villa. Good luck with that.
Villa have played a BLINDER - but at Elliott's expense
Let's call it what it is. Villa have played an absolute blinder here. They've essentially parked Elliott on the bench, avoided triggering the £35 million obligation, and can now walk away scot-free in the summer.
Meanwhile, Elliott's career has stalled. His World Cup dreams are fading. And Slot? He's got his own problems at Liverpool - they're sitting in NINTH place, for crying out loud - so he's hardly going to lose sleep over a player he shipped out on deadline day.
Someone at Villa needs to explain how this is fair. You bring in a talented young player, promise him opportunities, then leave him to rot. It's not right. It's not football. It's an absolute SHAMBLES.
Harvey Elliott deserves better than this. Much, much better.
