Liverpool's role in Harvey Elliott mess as regretful transfer deal not changed
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Harvey Elliott's loan spell at Aston Villa was overshadowed by a disagreement over loan conditions, with Liverpool refusing to remove the appearance-clause that limited the midfielder's playing time this seasonHarvey Elliott has barely played this season(Image: Getty Images)Unai Emery has insisted that Harvey Elliott's restricted game time this season stemmed from both Aston Villa and Liverpool protecting their own interests.The 23-year-old has clocked up merely 110 minutes of Premier League action this campaign, predominantly because Emery determined early doors that he wouldn't be pursuing Elliott on a permanent transfer. Villa would have been required to hand over £35 million ($46.7 million) to bring Elliott from Liverpool permanently had he reached 10 Premier League outings.Despite this, he has also experienced minimal opportunities in the Europa League.
As Liverpool's title pursuit started to wane at the year's turn, the team's focus shifted toward cementing a top-five position.Elliott will now return to Liverpool this summer after a tumultuous period at Villa, although Emery has praised the midfielder's professionalism throughout the situation."I explained it at the beginning of the season, when we decided how we needed to manage his situation as a player, as a person as well," Emery said.Elliott will return to Liverpool this summer(Image: Getty Images)"Of course, as a person, it is a difficult season for him because he is not playing matches. We got this responsibility when we signed him, but then Liverpool had their responsibility when we were speaking in December, January, in the transfer window."And of course, each club has their responsibility and has their decision.
His attitude is fantastic every day, and the respect he has for me and for the teammates is really fantastic."Emery remains without a Premier League win against Liverpool, having drawn four and lost six of his 10 meetings with the Reds.Victory on this occasion would prove hugely significant, as it would confirm Champions League soccer for Villa. They were favourites and we could beat them, which was something fantastic in that moment."Then how they progressed in the Premier League and how they are performing, being at the top level, it is very difficult to compete against them."It would be something not normal if we were beating them normally.