Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed that Harvey Elliott will be back at Anfield next season, following a challenging loan spell at Aston Villa that didn't go as planned.

The 23-year-old winger joined Villa on a season-long loan last summer, hoping to secure consistent playing time and further his development. However, the move has been far from fruitful. Elliott has managed just 110 minutes of Premier League action, with Villa seemingly avoiding the £35 million purchase option by limiting his appearances. It's a scenario that has left the young talent's career at a crossroads.

Ahead of Liverpool's Premier League clash with Aston Villa tomorrow evening, Slot addressed Elliott's future in his pre-match press conference. "I think for him, for everyone, it didn't work out as he wanted it, as we wanted it and probably also how Villa wanted it," Slot said. "Because you usually sign a player or bring him in on loan to use him. That hasn't happened a lot."

Slot expressed sympathy for Elliott, who shone during the U21 European Championship last summer but has seen his momentum stall. "It's never nice for a player not to make so many minutes, especially after the season he had with us, where he made even more minutes than these 280," Slot added. "He went over there to get more playing time, but unfortunately that didn't happen."

The Liverpool boss acknowledged the competitive nature of Villa's squad but made it clear that Elliott remains a key part of Liverpool's plans. "He's contracted to us, so he will be with us at the start of the season," Slot confirmed. For Reds fans, this news signals that one of their brightest young prospects will have a chance to rediscover his form and fight for a place in Slot's squad next term.