Harvey Elliott described his past year at Aston Villa as a difficult experience he would not wish on any player. The 23-year-old midfielder joined Villa on loan from Liverpool last summer, with an obligation for the transfer to become permanent at a fee of £35 million once he made 10 appearances. However, his time at the club quickly deteriorated after falling out of favor with then-manager Unai Emery.

Due to a clause in his contract triggering a mandatory transfer if he played in 10 matches, Elliott was largely excluded from the team, effectively sidelined throughout much of his loan spell. Speaking on Liverpool’s pre-season tour in the United States, Elliott said the period was mentally challenging but acknowledged it as a valuable learning experience.

“I don’t wish [the situation] upon any other player, because it’s not nice at all, but I have no hard feelings,” Elliott stated. He added that Emery had been transparent in explaining the situation on multiple occasions, and that the club had expressed regret over how it unfolded. “Ultimately, it was a situation I couldn’t control,” he said.

Returning to Liverpool, Elliott will have the opportunity to prove himself under new manager Andoni Iraola during pre-season. Despite this, he is expected to move on again as Liverpool look to manage their squad. Elliott expressed enthusiasm about being back at his parent club but emphasized his desire to play regularly and enjoy his football. “It’s an incredible feeling [to be back],” he said. “I just want to be free, play as much as I can, enjoy it, because I don’t feel like I do it enough.”