Why Harvey Elliott still has a future at Liverpool under Andoni Iraola

Harvey Elliott will be absolutely desperate to stretch his legs after spending the 2025-26 campaign away from Anfield.

The Liverpool loanee was confined to the Aston Villa bench for much of the season, with Unai Emery's side not wanting to trigger a buy clause.

It meant that the 23-year-old was trapped in an incredibly difficult situation, one that hindered the attacking midfielder's career for an entire year.

Still, he managed to leave Villa Park with a Europa League title to his name, even if he did only record 101 minutes into the competition.

The former Fulham man has since returned to Merseyside, and with Andoni Iraola in charge, there is every chance of a redemption at Anfield.

He already has turf on his boots again, having completed 45 minutes against Sunderland on Saturday, 25 July, and he took his chance to shine.

Harvey Elliott takes important step towards Liverpool redemption

In just one half of football, he grabbed more assists - 1 - than he managed during his entire loan spell with Villa, helping youngster Kieran Morrison to score the opener.

Elliott completed 94 per cent of his passes, three of those going into the final third, made two recoveries, but lost his only ground duel [FotMob].

Understandably, it was a rather hectic pre-season game, with the Reds claiming a 4-2 win in USA, but it could be one that changes the arc of Elliott's career.

Football Insider revealed earlier this month that Iraola would make a decision on the player's next steps should he fail to impress ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

He has gotten off to the best possible start, however, and given the departure of Mohamed Salah, Liverpool need all the firepower available this summer.

Who else could Andoni Iraola lose this summer?

It has already been a summer of huge change on Merseyside, with Salah being joined out the exit doors by Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson.

While Victor Munoz and Jeremy Jacquet have both arrived, these two youngsters are not nearly enough to bolster the squad enough.

That is without mentioning how the likes of Alisson, Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones and Federico Chiesa could all leave before the new season kicks off.

Elliott already had a huge chance of regaining his spot at Anfield, but with more friendlies to come, he could even bag some more significant minutes next term.