One Liverpool star in particular could be in for a welcome second chance, if Andoni Iraola’s comments are anything to go by
Andoni Iraola has been announced as the new manager of Liverpool (Image: Nikki Dyer – LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool’s appointment of Andoni Iraola could offer Harvey Elliott a new opportunity at Anfield. The 23-year-old was a consistent presence under Jurgen Klopp, appearing in the German’s squad throughout the closing years of his tenure.
Following Arne Slot’s arrival in the summer of 2024, Elliott started to see his chances become more scarce. He made 28 appearances under the Dutchman, a notable decline from the 53 and 46 he managed in the two preceding campaigns under Klopp.
Having won the Premier League title under Slot, the England midfielder was sent on loan to Aston Villa in September 2025. Yet, despite agreeing a £35million obligation to purchase the England international, conditional on him playing 10 Premier League matches for Villa, he featured just nine times for the Midlands club and was omitted from the squad for much of the season.
Once a promising talent, poised to make the right side of midfield his own for Liverpool, Elliott has effectively squandered an entire season of development at an age he should be playing week in, week out for a side.
It’ll hurt even more considering it was a World Cup year. He was named ‘Player of the Tournament’ for England at the U21 Euros, yet with Slot’s departure comes a fresh beginning.
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Iraola is set to assess all of his new players with a clean slate, giving everyone the chance to make a strong first impression. Speaking during his first interview as the club’s new head coach, the Basque manager offered players like Elliott hope that they could stake their claim and force their way back into Liverpool’s plans.
“We’ve analysed Liverpool a lot – possible weaknesses, the strengths,” Iraola said. “I think we have a very good squad. I think there is still work to do, like normally in every club in this moment of the season. But right now, for me the thing is to value especially the players that we have right now in the squad.
Harvey Elliott has barely played for Aston Villa during his loan spell(Image: Nigel French/Getty Images)
“For me, and I will tell them, [they] are all new signings. 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. I’ve been talking to a couple before – but it will be lovely also to play again with Milos, try to improve him, try to help him in his development. Yeah, definitely looking forward to it.”
Those words will be a huge boost for Elliott, suggesting the midfielder is likely to be afforded the same opportunity as any of his team-mates upon his return to the club this summer.
It has been reported that Villa were keen for Elliott to head back to Anfield in January, though the two clubs were unable to agree terms. It has been a humiliating and needless saga for Elliott, a player who has always shown total dedication to Liverpool since arriving from Fulham in July 2019.
Speaking in May, Slot claimed Elliott would be returning to the Reds at the start of next season and expressed regret over how the situation had unfolded. Whether Elliott would have had the opportunity to revive his career under Slot, we’ll never know — but it appears that was unlikely.
Andoni Iraola has taken charge of Liverpool(Image: Rob Newell – CameraSport, CameraSport via Getty Images)
Similarly, Villa manager Unai Emery was equally remorseful. “My apologies for Harvey Elliott are, every day, in my mind,” the Spaniard said.
With Liverpool looking to reshape their midfield and attack, Elliott’s inclusion for the upcoming campaign seems like a straightforward decision.
He brings valuable experience, can fill in across central positions and poses a potent attacking threat from the right — something that will be greatly missed with Mohamed Salah’s departure next season.
Put simply, the Reds’ new manager represents a fresh start for Elliott. The 23-year-old has consistently shown a willingness to press high and a keen eye for goal, meaning that, if handed the opportunity to thrive, Iraola and Elliott could prove to be a perfect partnership at Anfield.
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