Elliott still a wanted man as Liverpool return looms

[Getty Images] Harvey Elliott is attracting Premier League and European interest but is still expected back at Liverpool for the start of pre-season. The 23-year-old has endured a nightmare season on loan at Aston Villa from Anfield, making just nine appearances in all competitions. Yet Elliott - who won Player of the Tournament as England Under-21s won Euro 2025 last summer - is still wanted by a number of clubs in England and abroad.

He is unlikely to have a future at Liverpool if Arne Slot is in charge next season but the playmaker is due to report for pre-season training at Melwood in the summer. Elliott joined Villa on loan on deadline day last year with Villa holding an obligation to buy in a deal worth £35m if he made 10 Premier League appearances. Elliott has made just four - starting once - with boss Unai Emery saying he decided in November not to make the move permanent.

Villa and Liverpool held talks about ending the loan in January but were unable to reach an agreement. Elliott, popular within the Villa squad and at the club's Bodymoor training ground, has earned praise for the mature way he has handled the situation this season but sources have underlined it has been a wasted year which has set his career back. He joined hoping to force his way into Thomas Tuchel's World Cup plans but has seen Under-21 team-mate Elliot Anderson earn six games to become a regular under Tuchel.

He was an unused substitute in Thursday's 4-0 Europa League semi-final win over Nottingham Forest which booked Villa a final berth against Freiburg. Emery made seven changes to face Tottenham in the Premier League ahead of the semi-final second leg earlier this month with Elliott left out entirely.