Liverpool have had a busy summer of incomings in the transfer window, but Gary Lineker has been left shocked by one player the Reds opted to let go of.
The defending Premier League champions spent a record £446million this summer, including signing Alexander Isak for a British record fee of £125million as Arne Slot has bolstered his squad.
Liverpool are doing everything they can to build a squad capable of retaining the Premier League this season, but with so many new faces, there were always going to be some departures.
While the sale of Darwin Nunez didn’t surprise anyone, other departures have caught people off guard.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty ImagesGary Lineker thought Liverpool would loan Harvey Elliott
Plenty of attention has been paid to Liverpool’s exciting signings, Harvey Elliott’s sale to Aston Villa snuck under the radar, although the move shocked Lineker.
The versatile midfielder joined Villa on a loan deal with an obligation to buy that will cost the West Midlands club £35million.
Elliott sent Liverpool fans an emotional message as his time at Anfield ended, but on the latest Stick To Football, Lineker shared his surprise about the transfer.
“I think also, it’s good for Harvey. He was the player of the tournament in the Euros at the Under-21s in the summer. He’s very talented, but he needs to play, doesn’t he?
“I thought he might just go out on loan, but I think they’ve got him for 30-odd million. I think that could result in a really good buy.”
Liverpool were hesitant to sell Harvey Elliott
Lineker’s sentiment was shared within Liverpool’s walls, as TBR Football exclusively revealed that the Premier League giants had initially hesitated to sell him.
Elliott, who wowed during the Under-21 European Championships, was an important squad member for Liverpool under Slot and Jurgen Klopp.
Harvey Elliott’s Liverpool stats
However, he had failed to establish himself as a regular starter, and with new signings, it could have proven even harder to find regular football this season, which Elliott wanted.
Liverpool loved Elliott as a player and felt he would suit their new formation, but he was ultimately sold on Villa’s project.
The Englishman will now look to kick his career on under Unai Emery as Villa attempt to continue their recent growth in the Premier League.