Harvey Elliott lifts lid on decision to leave Liverpool for Valencia on loan

At the start of the summer, it appeared as though Harvey Elliott was going to be a key figure for Liverpool this year. Both player and new head coach Andoni Iraola were saying the right things, while the 23 year old provided cover both in midfield and on the right wing, two position the Reds remain very short.

Elliott then featured prominently throughout pre-season but, once the serious business begun, was not even named among the substitutes against either Newcastle nor Nottingham Forest, rather foreshadowing his departure. Thus, the day before transfer deadline day, it was confirmed that Elliott had travelled to Spain for a medical, ahead of joining La Liga side Valencia on a season-long loan.

Upon arriving at Aeroport de València, Elliott spoke to the assembled media, and outlined his excitement about the move:

"An incredible club. I'm really thankful for the opportunity. I'm going to play as well as I can here and I know the history of the club... I'm going to give everything I have for Valencia. It happened quite quick and I was ready for the call. It's just making sure I'm ready to come here and play and I am. I'm here now and I'm looking forward to it. "

Harvey Elliott on joining Valencia

Seemingly not in Iraola's plans as outlined, it was vitally important for Elliott to get out of Liverpool and find a club where he will be a regular starter. Almost exactly a year ago, the 23 year old joined Aston Villa on a season-long loan, with an obligation to buy for £35 million. This would be triggered once he made ten appearances for the Villans, which would prove to be a key detail.

Unai Emery quickly decided he did not want Elliott to stick around at Villa Park long-term, which meant that Elliott made, you guessed it, just nine appearances in claret and blue, totalling a miserly 277 minutes. Coming off the back of an under-21 Euros triumph with England, where he had been named player of the tournament, this was a completely wasted season.

So, what should Elliott expected from Valencia, and how will he fit into their team?

The state of Valencia as Harvey Elliott arrives

If you have not been following Spanish football too closely, you might assume that Valencia are still one of the leading clubs in La Liga. On the contrary, that has not been the case for a while. Los Murciélagos finished ninth last season, which was seen as a massive success, their joint-highest finish since the glory years ended on 2019, having ended up 12th and even 16th during this period.

In short, the club is being run into the ground by absent owner Peter Lim. Los Che almost never spend money on transfer fees, and if another club makes any sort of offer for one of their stars, they will be sold, almost no questions asked. Giorgi Mamardashvili's £30 million to Liverpool one of countless examples.

Elliott though has high hopes for his time at Mestalla and what can be achieved:

"The goal is to get Valencia into European football. It is an incredible club and I want to do the best I can for them. I feel like with the team, we can do that, but it is going to be a hard season"

Led by former West Brom manager Carlos Corberán, los Che have just one point after three La Liga games, beaten 3-1 by newly-promoted Deportivo La Coruña at Riazor on Sunday. Given Elliott's versatility, it will be interesting to see where he fits into this team. Corberán deployed a back five for their first two games, before switching to a 4-3-3 at the weekend, and the Englishman certainly has thoughts about how he can be bested utilised.

"I'll play anywhere. I'm just happy to play football. But as a number 10, that is where I think I am the most effective"

Next up for Valencia is a home match against champions Barcelona on Sunday, so that would be quite the fixture for Elliott to make his debut in.

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