05:30, 27 Dec 2025<\/p>\n
![\"Arne](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1_Girona-FC-v-Liverpool-FC-UEFA-Champions-League-202425-League-Phase-MD6.jpg\")
Harvey Elliott’s future is currently in limbo(Image: Liverpool FC, Liverpool FC via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
A decision on Harvey Elliott<\/a>‘s future has yet to be made with the Englishman’s next move in his career not yet known. The Liverpool star joined Aston Villa on deadline day but four months later, the 23-year-old has been used sparingly by Unai Emery<\/a>.<\/p>\n It remains to be seen whether the attacking midfielder will see out the season at Villa Park or make a return to Arne Slot’s side, who are currently without Mohamed Salah<\/a> and Alexander Isak.<\/p>\n With the Reds preparing to host bottom club Wolves<\/a> on Saturday afternoon, Mirror Football <\/strong>takes a look at the latest twist in Elliott’s future and the convincing Slot had to do for one of his key men.<\/p>\n Elliott transfer twist<\/p>\n The transfer saga of Elliott will only heat up as we approach the January transfer window<\/a> with the Englishman out of favour at Aston Villa<\/a>. Emery<\/a> already revealed that his side won’t be making Elliott’s loan a permanent one<\/a> which would be triggered by making 10 appearances – he’s only played in five matches thus far.<\/p>\n Giving he already featured for Liverpool<\/a> before his deadline day move to Villa, Elliott is unable to represent a third club this season with the 22-year-old’s career in limbo. The attacking midfielder’s next move is a complex one as the Reds do not possess a recall clause in the season-long loan, according to The Athletic<\/a>.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Liverpool fans make feelings clear as Arne Slot calls vindicated<\/a>READ MORE: Liverpool can save millions on ideal Marc Guehi alternative – but there is a catch for double deal<\/a><\/p>\n The report also states that Villa – who sit third in the Premier League<\/a> table – will have to pay Liverpool a fee if they want to terminate the loan early.<\/p>\n Slot convinces Ekitike<\/p>\n French forward Hugo Ekitike has undoubtedly been Liverpool’s best performer of their summer arrivals with the 23-year-old their current top scorer with 10 goals to his name across all competitions. He enjoyed a strong start to his Anfield career with three goals in his first three games but then netted just three goals in his next 17 appearances.<\/p>\n However, it was earlier this month that Ekitike rediscovered his scoring touch<\/a> and has since bagged five league goals in his last three games with Liverpool shooting up the table to fifth.<\/p>\n His purple patch has come amid his added work to improve his physicality, something Slot has now revealed he needed to convince Ekitike of doing if he to successfully perform his role in English football.<\/p>\n The Reds boss said: “He showed a lot of hard work to get to this fitness level where he is at the moment. It sometimes took us \u2013 me \u2013 a bit of convincing that this all is actually needed to become stronger but he always did it, not always with a smile on his face but he has worked really hard to get fitter on and off the pitch.<\/p>\n “I\u2019ve tried to convince him as well, the better you defend a set-piece the bigger chance you have to score at the other end, because if you are 0-0 it is easier to score a goal than if you are 1-0 down. It may sound strange but it is what it does with the energy levels of the other team.”<\/p>\n Join our LFC WhatsApp community<\/a> and get all the latest LFC news, views, transfer gossip and more, as it happens We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.<\/p>\n Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package<\/p>\n This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/a> \u00a343<\/p>\n \u00a335<\/p>\n Sky<\/p>\n![\"Liverpool](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1_Liverpool-v-Aston-Villa-Premier-League-Anfield.jpg\")
Hugo Ekitike has hit a rich vein of form(Image: PA)<\/p>\n![\"Content](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1744106962_61_0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\")
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