Unai Emery has urged Liverpool to adjust the terms of Harvey Elliott’s loan at Aston Villa, describing the current arrangement as ‘damaging’ for the player.
The 22-year-old moved from Anfield to Villa on an initial loan last summer, with the deal set to become permanent after he makes 10 appearances. After featuring in five early matches, Elliott didn’t play for nearly four months, only recently returning to action. Emery had previously expressed reluctance to use him regularly, as Villa had no plans to sign him outright.
Emery pushes for Liverpool intervention
On Friday, Emery admitted the situation is unfair to Elliott and called on Liverpool to revisit the loan agreement, giving the midfielder more opportunities for the remainder of the season.
Speaking to The Athletic, Emery said:
> “We have been fair because there are two ways. One way is sport, the second is business… Now it’s a sport decision and a business decision. My sport decision is still there – ‘You are deserving to play, we need your qualities in the field, you are going to play’ – but the clauses are still there. Now it is Liverpool, they have the key… it will be fair for him for Liverpool to take off this clause.”
He added that talks about altering the loan terms had begun months ago but no agreement had yet been reached:
> “We started speaking about it three months ago. The transfer window finished on Monday. It will be fair for him, because he’s a calm guy, a good guy, and he’s a fantastic professional, and his qualities are there… We are damaging him because of the deal with Liverpool, and we are taking the decision responsibly from my side.”
Elliott suffers most from the stalemate
Elliott is the clear loser in the current situation. While injuries to other midfielders have recently increased his playing chances, Emery had sidelined him for much of the autumn after a slow start at Villa Park.
Ending the loan early isn’t an option, as Villa would face a termination fee, and Liverpool are not interested in recalling him. This leaves only two ways to resolve the issue: either Villa plays Elliott more regularly, or Liverpool and Villa renegotiate the loan terms to ease or remove the purchase threshold.
Despite Emery’s recent willingness to involve him, Elliott – who rejected a rumored MLS move in January – is unlikely to see much more action unless Liverpool take steps to change the agreement. The hope remains that the clubs can act in the best interests of a player who has endured a frustrating few months.
