Harvey Elliot breaks his silence on 'selfish' Liverpool exit - as youngster reveals why he chose a move to Aston Villa

Harvey Elliot has opened up for the first time on his decision to leave Liverpool, admitting he had to be 'selfish' for the better of his career. 

The young Englishman sealed a move away from Anfield after six years at the club on Deadline Day, joining Aston Villa on a season-long loan. 

The Villans have an obligation to make the move a permanent one next summer for a fee worth £35million, meaning Elliot's Liverpool career is all but over. 

Having been something of a regular under Jurgen Klopp, the Surrey-born midfielder found minutes harder to come by last season under Arne Slot - something he now admits played a big part in his decision to leave the club. 

'I think the most important thing for me when I was making the decision was to be playing first-team football,' he said. 

'I need to be in a team where I’m getting regular minutes. Whether that’s starting or coming off the bench, just having that feeling of going into a matchday knowing you’re going to play, that’s the only way I can improve now.

'The love I have for Liverpool is still going to be there forever, that’s not going to change, I’m still going to be watching and looking out for them from afar. I’m wishing them all the very best. But sometimes in football you need to be selfish. I made the decision to leave because I wanted to do what’s best for me.'

He'd been the subject of interest from a number of clubs both in England and abroad, with RB Leipzig, West Ham and Fulham, where he rose through the academy as a youngster, all interested.

Elliot however ultimately chose a move to Aston Villa after being 'blown away' by Unai Emery, a manager who has brought European football back to Villa Park since joining the club in 2022. 

He made his debut yesterday in the goalless draw at Everton's new Hill Dickinson Stadium, telling reporters post-match: 'To find the best club, there were a few difficult decisions I had to make.

'I’m over the moon. I’m so happy to be here and I really want to kick on, to get this club where they deserve. With this team, anything is possible.'

Asked about Emery's impact in sealing the move, Elliot added: 'I think it’s just his commitment to football and his energy, his passion. It’s his detail as well, and the heart he has for all of us. The first time I ever spoke to him, I was blown away by the way he was and what he had to say about me.

'As the weeks have gone on, you see it more and more. He’s a very loving figure, he’s always looking out for you and making sure you’re okay. He does the best he can to help you as a player. I think working under him is going to be the best thing for me, as long as he trusts me.'

The 22-year-old joined Villa alongside former Man United stars Jadon Sancho and Victor Lindelof as the window neared its close. The latter too made his debut yesterday, while Sancho was left on the bench. 

They join a Villa side struggling so far this season after such a successful three years under Emery. The Villans are without a win or a goal this season.

Speaking post-match after the draw at Everton, Emery praised his team's performance and claimed he's happy with the point. 

'It's a good point and a lot of things were positive. Emiliano did a fantastic job and saved us lots of time. Overall we competed, everything we needed to show,' he said. 

'We were defending and were disciplined. Then we have to improve offensively as we are not scoring goals. With this point, I am happy because we are building the team. This point is necessary to keep going.

'We are recovering our positivity.'

Villa travel to Brentford for a League Cup fixture on Tuesday, where Elliot could well make his full debut.