As Arne Slot prepares for a pivotal summer at Liverpool, the winds of change are blowing through Anfield. With several first-team departures confirmed, the focus is squarely on the incoming transfer business. However, a significant curveball has been thrown into the mix with the news that reported target Hugo Ekitike could be sidelined for 9-12 months, disrupting the club's forward planning.

This injury blow exacerbates a familiar problem for Slot, whose squad depth has been tested all season. Operating under FSG's well-documented sell-to-buy policy, a January reinforcement was never a realistic option, and the same financial constraints will shape their summer strategy. In this challenging landscape, an internal solution may present itself from an unexpected source.

The answer to one of Slot's attacking dilemmas could be a familiar face: Harvey Elliott. The 23-year-old's season-long loan at Aston Villa has not gone to plan, with Unai Emery reportedly hesitant to trigger the permanent transfer clause linked to a 10-game appearance threshold. With Elliott unlikely to hit that mark, a return to Merseyside this summer seems inevitable.

While many expect Liverpool to seek another move for the midfielder, retaining Elliott could be a shrewd piece of business. With Ekitike potentially out until 2027, the squad will be light in attacking options. Although Elliott isn't a traditional striker, his versatility and creativity could provide crucial depth. If a marquee signing like Florian Wirtz is deployed on the wing, Elliott's return could offer Slot a valuable and cost-effective option in the forward line, saving the club millions in the transfer market and adding a homegrown spark to the new era.