Liverpool manager Arne Slot has offered a diplomatic response regarding Harvey Elliott's challenging loan spell at Aston Villa, confirming the midfielder will return to Anfield this summer.
Loan Details and Playing Time
Elliott joined Villa on a season-long loan from Liverpool last summer, with an obligation to buy for £35 million if he played 10 Premier League matches. However, Villa boss Unai Emery has limited Elliott to just four Premier League appearances to avoid triggering the clause. The 22-year-old has also featured four times in the Europa League and once in the League Cup.
Slot's Comments
Speaking ahead of Liverpool's Premier League clash at Villa Park, Slot stated: 'I think for him, everyone, it didn't work out as we wanted. Usually you sign a player on loan to use him, but that hasn't happened a lot. It's not for me to answer why that is, but it is never nice for a player to get so few minutes.'
Slot added: 'Such a talented player, he did so well at the Under-21 Euros. You want a player like that to play more. But he went to a good team with a lot of good players. Not for me to answer, but it's always a pity when a player like that doesn't play a lot.'
Future Plans
Elliott will return to Liverpool this summer, but it remains unclear whether the club will attempt to sell him again. Slot confirmed: 'He is contracted to us, so he will be with us at the start of next season.'
