Iraola tells Harvey Elliott he starts fresh as Liverpool return raises stakes

Harvey Elliott is back at Liverpool’s AXA Training Centre and, for the first time in two years, has a manager actively inviting him to prove his worth. New head coach Andoni Iraola met a group of returning players on Tuesday, with Elliott among those assessed alongside Stefan Bajcetic, Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike, Wataru Endo and Giovanni Leoni.

The visit comes at a pivotal moment for the 23-year-old England midfielder. After seeing his appearances drop sharply under Arne Slot — 28 in 2024-25 compared to 53 and 46 in his final two seasons under Jurgen Klopp — Elliott joined Aston Villa on loan in September 2025. Villa had agreed a £35 million obligation to purchase him, conditional on him featuring in 10 Premier League matches. He managed just nine and was omitted from the squad for much of the campaign, leaving the deal unfulfilled.

Iraola, speaking in his first interview as Liverpool head coach, made clear he intends to judge every player without prejudice. “For me, and I will tell them, [they] are all new signings,” he said. “I think we have a lot of quality in our squad, and [I’m] really looking forward to working with them.”

The Basque coach also acknowledged the analytical groundwork already done on his new club. “We’ve analysed Liverpool a lot — possible weaknesses, the strengths. I think we have a very good squad. I think there is still work to do, like normally in every club in this moment of the season. But right now, for me the thing is to value especially the players that we have right now in the squad.”

For Elliott, the timing of Iraola’s arrival could hardly be more significant. With Mohamed Salah no longer at the club next season, Liverpool will need reliable attacking output from the right flank — a position Elliott has occupied effectively in the past. His ability to operate centrally also gives Iraola flexibility as he looks to reshape the midfield.

Pre-season begins next week, and with every player told they are starting from zero, Elliott has the clearest possible mandate: make an impression before the transfer window shapes the squad around him.