Harvey Elliott’s Valencia loan has stalled badly enough that a January return to Liverpool is now being talked about, but the more striking part is what could follow. Reports say Liverpool would rather sell the 23-year-old than treat this as another temporary reset.

Valencia's loan decision

Football Insider reported that there is a growing expectation Elliott will be sent back to Anfield in January, which sources said would leave him back at square one. The same report said Liverpool see no long-term future for him on Merseyside and would look to cash in before his contract expires in 2028.

The numbers explain why the move has lost momentum. Elliott has managed only six substitute appearances for Valencia and 152 minutes in total. His season rating is 6.05, which is a flat return for a player who arrived with a stronger reputation than this spell has shown.

His last outing was worse again. Elliott was sent off after two bookings in a 20-minute cameo against Villarreal, and that kind of night rarely helps a loan that already looks shaky.

Liverpool's next move

Valencia are only said to be exploring a termination, not confirming one, and that distinction still matters. Julian Burgos told thehardtackle.com that if the option arises, Valencia will likely pursue it, with squad changes and salary-cap pressure pushing them toward players signed under the previous regime.

Liverpool's stance is also being framed differently depending on the source. One report says a return to Anfield would effectively reset Elliott's situation, while another says the club would prefer a permanent sale, even to another Premier League side, rather than another loan. Leeds were linked with him in the summer, so they would be worth watching if the January door opens.

Valencia's interest in ending the loan and Liverpool's willingness to sell are both still reported positions, not completed decisions. But with Elliott at 23, on six substitute appearances and 152 minutes, the loan looks more like a dead end than a path back to Anfield.

Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 4 outlets. How we work →