Andoni Iraola shares what he thinks of Harvey Elliott after watching his return to Liverpool training

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Harvey Elliott’s unexpected return is one of the most intriguing subplots of Andoni Iraola’s first pre-season with Liverpool.

Had things gone to plan, Elliott would not have been a Liverpool player for quite a while already, with his loan move to Aston Villa last summer becoming permanent after only 10 appearances.

That never happened, though, and after wasting a year at Villa Park, the 23-year-old is back and ready to grasp his unlikely second chance.

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Andoni Iraola has already opened the door for Elliott to become an important player again, and while sitting down for an interview with Stan Sport, the Reds’ head coach added some more insight into what he’s been seeing from Elliott on the training pitch so far.

Iraola has been impressed by Elliott

Though Arne Slot clearly did not rate Elliott especially highly, and was happy to see him leave last summer, Liverpool could ultimately have used his energy and tenacity throughout what was a dismal campaign.

Given his love of pressing, his positive attitude and his versatility, Elliott could be reborn under Iraola, and it seems as though the Basque is ready to give the No. 19 every opportunity to prove that.

“I think Harvey, especially now that we are starting the pre-season basically with a lot of players out, I think he will have the best of the chances during the pre-season,” he said.

READ MORE: Liverpool hint that youngster dismissed by Arne Slot could have a bigger role with Andoni Iraola

“We will need him, we will give him the minutes.”

“I like what I’ve seen from him in terms of willingness to start strong the pre-season, being here, training even one week before with the under-21s. And I would love to have him in a good place, yes.”

Elliott obviously recognises his chance, and has come back early and with the bit between his teeth.

In this kind of mood it is easy to see how he could win Iraola over enough to keep him around and potentially earn himself a new contract, but it is worth remembering that Elliott has barely played for a whole year as well. Let’s wait and see how he turns up in the friendlies to get a better gauge of where he is at.