Photo: Werner100359 / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
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Harvey Elliott has returned to Liverpool this summer following a season-long loan spell at Aston Villa, and the 22-year-old has started both of new head coach Andoni Iraola's first two pre-season friendlies — victories over Sunderland and Wrexham in the United States.
Elliott, who joined Liverpool seven years ago, spoke after the 1-0 win against Wrexham in New York. "Everyone knows how much I love the club," he said. "I've supported them from a very young age. It was my childhood dream. Putting on the kit again is a feeling like no other."
The former England Under-21 international acknowledged that his loan move last season had not produced the results he had hoped for. "Last summer I wanted a new challenge, I wanted to go out of my comfort zone. I thought it would take me on as a player again, but unfortunately it didn't work out," Elliott said.
Elliott described his current situation at the club as a fresh opportunity under Iraola. "This is kind of a second chance, especially with the new gaffer. Hopefully I can get in his good books," he added.
The 23-year-old said he has been impressed by Iraola's methods in pre-season but noted his own form is still building after limited minutes last campaign. "I haven't shown my 100 per cent yet and I think that will take a little bit of time because of the fact that I didn't play much last season," he said.
Elliott confirmed his long-term future at the club remains unresolved. "I'm not sure yet what's going to happen. That's a conversation for me to have more in detail with the gaffer," he said. "I have to do what's right for me, whether that's staying here and fighting for my place, or whether that's potentially going elsewhere."
Despite the uncertainty, Elliott was emphatic about his current mood. "Playing at Liverpool, there's no better feeling," he said.