Journalist: Harvey Elliott opens up on difficult Liverpool departure | OneFootball

Harvey Elliott Vows Eternal Liverpool Love Despite Aston Villa Switch

Midfielder Explains Villa Move

Harvey Elliott has admitted that leaving Liverpool was the hardest decision of his young career but insisted that his bond with the club will never fade. Speaking after his Aston Villa debut in their goalless draw with Everton, Elliott told The Independent: “The love I have for Liverpool is still going to be there forever, that’s not going to change. I’m still going to be watching and looking out for them from afar. I’m wishing them all the very best.”

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Villa will pay £35 million next summer if the midfielder reaches 10 appearances, a deal structure designed to help the Birmingham club remain compliant with PSR rules. Elliott now sits just nine games away from making the move permanent.

Pursuit of Regular Football

The 21-year-old admitted the decision was rooted in his hunger for consistent minutes. “Sometimes in football you need to be selfish. I made the decision to leave because I wanted to do what’s best for me,” he explained. “I think the most important thing for me when I was making the decision was to be playing first-team football. I need to be in a team where I’m getting regular minutes.”

His words underline the reality that despite Liverpool’s title-winning success and summer rebuild, he had struggled to secure a regular role under Arne Slot.

Emotional Farewell to Liverpool

Elliott’s affection for Liverpool remains heartfelt. “I loved every minute of it; every second, every day [at Liverpool]. I wouldn’t change it, I learned so much from being there and experienced many things,” he said. For supporters, those words offer a measure of closure, a reminder that his departure is driven by ambition rather than discontent.

Photo: IMAGO

He also spoke about the difficult process of selecting Villa as his next destination. “To find the best club, there were a few difficult decisions I had to make. I’m over the moon. I’m so happy to be here and I really want to kick on, to get this club where they deserve. With this team, anything is possible.”

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Liverpool’s Safety Net

While Elliott’s time at Anfield will officially end on July 1, Liverpool included a buy-back clause in the agreement, giving them the option to bring him back if he fulfils his promise at Villa Park. They will also benefit from a sell-on clause should his career take him elsewhere.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

Liverpool fans will read Elliott’s comments with a mix of sadness and pride. Sadness because one of the most talented academy graduates in recent years is leaving, pride because he departs with dignity and remains a supporter of the club he grew up adoring. His quotes about “loving every minute” at Anfield and wanting to play regularly reflect a maturity beyond his years.

Many supporters will sympathise with his reasoning. A player of his quality should not be restricted to the occasional cameo, and Aston Villa offer him the platform to prove himself as a Premier League regular. His willingness to take a step away from the champions to find his own path shows the hunger that could make him one of the league’s standout midfielders.

There will also be comfort in knowing that Liverpool have a buy-back clause. If Elliott excels at Villa, the club have the option to bring him home at his peak. Fans will watch his progress closely, cheering him on from a distance, knowing that his story at Anfield may not be over for good.