What was supposed to be a season of growth and regular minutes has instead turned into a frustrating waiting game for Harvey Elliott — and Liverpool are now stuck with a problem no one anticipated.

The 22-year-old midfielder moved to Aston Villa on loan late in the summer, with the clear expectation that consistent game time would help push his development forward. Months later, that promise has failed to materialise, leaving Elliott stranded on the fringes and his future suddenly uncertain.

A Loan Move That Never Took Off 🚫

Elliott’s time at Villa has quietly unraveled. Rather than becoming a regular feature in Unai Emery’s plans, he has barely featured, with opportunities few and far between.

The situation has grown so stagnant that an unexpected escape route is now being discussed — a temporary move outside Europe.

Charlotte FC boss Dean Smith, who previously managed Aston Villa, openly admitted to exploring the possibility while speaking to Sky Sports.

> “I put some feelers out when I was over there,” Smith revealed. “I thought there might be an opportunity.”

He went on to suggest that if Elliott continues to be overlooked, a short spell elsewhere before the World Cup break could offer him valuable minutes — something he has been sorely lacking.

The Numbers Tell a Clear Story 📊

From Liverpool’s perspective, the figures are hard to ignore — and they don’t suggest failure, just absence.

In the Premier League this season, Elliott has managed:

4 appearances

1 start

104 total minutes

xG: 0.2

xA: 0.07

Those stats don’t point to poor performance. They point to a player who simply hasn’t been trusted with enough time on the pitch.

Commentator Ian Darke summed it up bluntly, describing Elliott as “hopelessly trapped” — a talented midfielder denied the platform to show what he can do.

Why Villa Have Kept Him on Ice 🧊

Under the terms of the loan deal, Aston Villa would be required to make the move permanent after Elliott reaches a certain number of appearances. That threshold has not been met — and Villa appear keen to keep it that way.

As a result, Elliott’s meaningful minutes dried up months ago, explaining why talk of an early exit has grown louder behind the scenes.

An MLS Move? It Doesn’t Feel Right 🇺🇸❌

FIFA regulations prevent Elliott from joining another European club this season, opening the door to interest from Major League Soccer. Charlotte FC are among the clubs keeping tabs on the situation.

Dean Smith acknowledged the idea again, noting that a lack of football between now and the World Cup would be “a shame” for a player of Elliott’s calibre.

But for Liverpool — and for Elliott himself — this feels like an emergency option rather than a sensible solution.

This is a player who:

Starred for England’s U21s

Won Player of the Tournament at the European Championship 🏆

Played a key role during Jürgen Klopp’s final seasons at Anfield

Sending him on a short-term American detour because a loan was poorly managed doesn’t sit comfortably.

Elliott’s Reluctance and Liverpool’s Dilemma 🤔

Reports suggest Elliott is not keen on an MLS switch, while Liverpool currently lack a recall clause to bring him back early.

That leaves an uncomfortable reality: a gifted young midfielder is losing precious months of his career through no fault of his own.

With the season slipping away, questions are growing louder — why can’t Liverpool find a way to bring Elliott home and reintegrate him as a squad option for the remainder of the campaign?

For now, the wait continues… and it’s a situation that benefits no one. 😔🔴