Harvey Elliott's loan spell at Aston Villa isn't going according to plan. The Liverpool midfielder has barely featured since his deadline day switch, and now he's being told to seriously consider a surprise move to MLS.
Elliott made just one brief appearance for Liverpool against Newcastle in August before heading to Villa Park. Since then, it's been a frustrating time. He last played back in October, and manager Unai Emery has made it clear why he's not getting minutes.
The situation is complicated by a clause in the loan deal. Villa would have to pay Liverpool £35 million if Elliott reaches 10 appearances. Given that Emery isn't convinced Elliott is worth that investment, the 22-year-old is stuck in limbo.
Murphy Urges Rethink on MLS Option
Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy thinks Elliott should reconsider his earlier rejection of Charlotte FC. The Times reported in January that Elliott wasn't interested in moving across the Atlantic, but Murphy believes it could be the right call.
"Harvey Elliott is a super talent with a great attitude," Murphy told BestBettingSites.co.uk. "It obviously hasn't worked at Villa, and sometimes that happens. A manager doesn't see you the same way you see yourself."
Murphy explained that Emery seems to view Elliott strictly as a number 10. That puts him behind Morgan Rogers and the resurgent Emi Buendía in the pecking order. With financial considerations attached to every appearance, Villa are understandably cautious about using him.
What Happens Next?
Elliott was back on the bench for Villa's win at Newcastle on Sunday, though he didn't get on the pitch. This sparked rumors that Liverpool and Villa might be renegotiating the permanent transfer clause.
If he does head to MLS, Elliott would follow in the footsteps of players like Wilfried Zaha and Javier Hernandez. Zaha joined Charlotte in January 2025 after stints at Galatasaray and Lyon, while Hernandez moved to LA Galaxy after playing for West Ham and Sevilla.
For Liverpool fans and bettors considering Reds' squad depth, Elliott's situation is worth monitoring. If he leaves for MLS, it could impact Liverpool's midfield options for the rest of the season, though his lack of playing time at Villa suggests he wasn't in Arne Slot's immediate plans anyway.
Emery summed up the awkward situation perfectly in January: "It is not good for him or good for us, but it is football and sometimes we must take decisions that are not good for us." Now Elliott needs to decide if a fresh start in America is better than sitting on Villa's bench.
