The Harvey Elliott loan move once again proved to be a costly one for Liverpool.
A 1-1 draw in the Liverpool vs Sunderland Premier League match continued the Reds’ poor run overall. They are currently eighth in the Premier League table with 22 points from 14 matches.
To make matters worse for them, Liverpool needed an own goal to equalise in the match against Sunderland, and it was yet another barren league match for Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak in terms of goals or assists.
Harvey Elliott’s Loan Move: Lessons Learned from Liverpool vs Sunderland Draw
Liverpool once again dropped Mohamed Salah and started with Dominik Szoboszlai on the right flank. Harvey Elliott, who often played on the right side of the midfield for the Reds and made almost 150 appearances for them, is now on loan to Aston Villa.
The Harvey Elliott loan move seems to be a strange one, considering Liverpool are struggling to have a proper player on the right side of the pitch, also factoring in Mohamed Salah’s off-form. Elliott often made appearances as a substitute and also managed to score 15 goals for the Reds.
Szoboszlai has played as a right-back as well as a central midfielder this season. Playing him as a right-back still makes sense, as it allows him to make surging runs down the flank to make use of his athleticism.
However, playing him on the right flank reduces his utility as a player. He is not a dribbler of the highest ability, and hence, playing in tight areas in the final third should not suit him.
Cody Gakpo, Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz are all more comfortable playing on the left side of the pitch. Liverpool have let Trent Alexander-Arnold leave, which makes them even poorer on the right side.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Newcastle vs Tottenham 2-2: Tottenham Captain Cristian Romero To The Rescue With Overhead Kick Writing The Headlines
Liverpool’s Recruitment Has Been Good, but Elliott’s Loan Sticks Out as a Sore Thumb
The Harvey Elliott loan move sticks out like a sore thumb in an otherwise great Liverpool recruitment policy. They have roped in the likes of Isak and Wirtz, but do not have a proper back-up to Salah now, with Federico Chiesa unable to cement his place in the starting XI.
In such a scenario, Elliott’s presence in the squad should have been essential for Arne Slot’s team. Elliott has won two Premier League titles with the Reds, and his experience could have come in handy this season.
Elliott is not doing that great at Aston Villa either and has scored a solitary goal in five matches for them. However, his current team is in third position in the Premier League table, which is an impetus for him.
Hence, Liverpool’s loss might be Aston Villa’s gain, which means that the Reds have done some bad business regarding the English midfielder. Salah’s form might pick up as the season progresses, but, as of now, the situation is not very encouraging for the English champions.
Their title defence has already gone badly, and they will have to fight really hard to finish inside the top five this season. In hindsight, the Harvey Elliott loan move seems to have been a bad one for the Reds, as they struggle to fill the void on the right side of the pitch.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / DeFodi Images
Recording Date: 02.10.2025
