Harvey Elliott in Aston Villa squad
It's difficult to overstate just how much of a mess the Elliott loan has been. Liverpool sent him off to Aston Villa for the season, with a clause in there that they must sign him for between £30m and £35m if he plays at least 10 matches (the Athletic).
Now, that was always a risky one. Villa quickly decided they didn't want to spend that kind of money – something that was always possible given their financial situation – and so Elliott has been left on the bench.
That should open the door to the deal being cancelled. However, Liverpool are unable to loan Elliott out again because he’s already played for two clubs this season. It’s simply infuriating that one of those clubs was Liverpool, and it was for a solitary minute at the start of the campaign.
And so if the Reds bring him back, they'd have to use him. They're clearly against that idea and would prefer to leave him at Villa out of hope that they eventually trigger the clause.
Elliott has just five appearances for them, with his last coming on October 2nd. Unai Emery has basically frozen him out, such is Villa's eagerness to avoid that clause.
But injuries may change everything. Elliott is in Villa's squad to face Newcastle United on Sunday and if he gets on, it moves everyone a step closer to that deal.
And does it in two ways. Elliott would literally be one game further towards the clause but it also offers him a chance to show his value on the pitch – and potentially earn his way to Villa wanting him permanently.
We'll see how it goes but that's maybe the only way this entire story has a happy ending.
