Harvey Elliott appears set to leave Liverpool after reportedly reaching personal terms with Valencia, just days after being omitted from the squad for the club's Premier League clash with Newcastle United.
The 23-year-old midfielder has struggled for opportunities at Anfield this season, with head coach Andoni Iraola opting for younger options such as Lewis Koumas and James McConnell ahead of him in recent matchday selections. Elliott's absence from the squad against Newcastle was seen as a significant indicator of his diminishing role within the squad.
Speaking to reporters before Liverpool's fixture against Nottingham Forest, Iraola addressed the difficult decisions he has had to make regarding squad selection, including Elliott's continued omission.
"With Harvey, with [Luke] Chambers, with some of the players that I decided – because I can only choose 20 – to leave out, it's a matter of finding the balance on the bench," Iraola said. "In Harvey's case, he's trying, he's improving every week, but I still prefer other options."
The Spanish coach went on to reveal that even a place on the bench was not guaranteed for Elliott, explaining that he had also considered leaving out McConnell before settling on his final squad. "Probably I was in doubt with James McConnell in terms of getting into the squad, and I decided to put James in the squad," Iraola added. "But it's another new week, new chances for everyone, and they have to keep that mentality."
Elliott's struggles for regular football are not new. The England international endured a difficult loan spell at Aston Villa last season before returning to Liverpool in the summer with an uncertain future. His path back into Iraola's plans has been further complicated by the arrival of Florian Wirtz, whose signing last summer significantly reduced Elliott's opportunities in a more advanced role. Reports of Bradley Barcola potentially arriving at the club have only added to the sense that Elliott's path to regular first-team football at Anfield is increasingly blocked, particularly out wide.
According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Valencia have now opened formal negotiations with Liverpool as they look to secure a club-to-club agreement for the midfielder. While it remains unclear whether the move will be structured as a loan or a permanent transfer, the latter is considered the more likely outcome given Elliott's contract situation. The 23-year-old has now entered the final 12 months of his current deal at Anfield, a factor that could push Liverpool towards sanctioning a permanent sale rather than risk losing him for a reduced fee or on a free transfer at a later date.
Elliott, who has been at Liverpool since his move from Fulham as a teenager, has long been regarded as one of the club's most promising academy graduates. However, the combination of increased competition for places, a difficult loan experience, and dwindling playing time under Iraola appears to have accelerated the prospect of a fresh start elsewhere.
Should the move to Valencia materialize, it would mark a significant turning point in Elliott's career, offering him the regular first-team football he has been unable to secure at Anfield in recent times. Negotiations between the two clubs are expected to continue as both parties look to finalize the terms of any potential deal.
Based on reporting from Standard Sport (football).