Arne Slot has confessed he understands Harvey Elliott’s frustrations as the Liverpool loanee continues to endure a torrid spell at Aston Villa – but has hinted the midfielder won’t be returning to Anfield in January. Elliott’s Anfield career appeared over when he secured a temporary switch to Villa Park over the summer, with expectations that the arrangement would eventually become permanent.

However, plans have gone awry for the England Under-21 international. Elliott has managed merely five appearances across all competitions for Villa, with only two starts to his name. Matters have deteriorated further, as he hasn’t featured in Unai Emery’s Premier League match-day squad whatsoever since October’s clash with Tottenham.

Despite suggestions that Villa need only start him for 10 matches to trigger an obligatory permanent transfer, even that modest target appears increasingly unlikely given Emery’s cold shoulder. A January switch elsewhere is impossible due to regulations preventing players from representing more than two clubs per season. He played for Liverpool away at Newcastle in September.

When quizzed about Elliott’s predicament during Friday’s pre-match briefing ahead of Liverpool’s encounter with Leeds, Slot appeared to show compassion for the 22-year-old’s plight. But he said the pair have hardly spoken despite his problems.

“I haven’t had contact with him a lot, I think only once or twice, and that was before he played Feyenoord away and after,” Slot said. “But that had more to do with him playing against a former club of mine, so no, I haven’t spoken to him.

“I am aware of his situation, of course. I knew how difficult it already was for him over here, so I think I know how he feels at this moment, but you should ask those questions at Villa, and not over here when it’s about his playing time.”

Recalling Elliott to Liverpool would appear an easy task for the Reds. Given Emery evidently does not want to use Elliott, Villa would likely be happy to send him back to Merseyside. Though that does not look like a probable eventuality.

Elliott’s options are limited to either returning to Liverpool in January or remaining at Villa for the rest of the season. According to The Athletic, there are currently no plans for Liverpool to recall him, leaving the player in a tricky spot.

Emery, speaking about Elliott last week, stated: “We now have a lot of matches. We must focus on each match with the players we have now. We are not thinking about the transfer window in January. He (Elliott) is one of our players and hopefully he can help us. Then, we are going to decide.

“Firstly, there are other players performing very well. This is the first argument of why he is not playing. He is training very well every day.”