“My apologies for Harvey Elliott are, every day, in my mind. We have our responsibility and Liverpool have their responsibility.

“How the season has gone has been difficult.”

Liverpool travel to Villa on Friday, with Elliott unable to play against his parent club. The winners will book a place in next season’s Champions League.

Elliott’s only league start this season came in September – against Fulham, when he was taken off at half time – and he has not played in the league since February.

Elliott won Euro 2025 with England Under-21s and was named player of the tournament after scoring five goals.

He joined Villa hoping to force his way into the senior team for the World Cup, but U21 team-mate Elliot Anderson has won seven caps to become a regular under manager Thomas Tuchel.

Elliott has interest from clubs in the Premier League and Europe, but he is not expected to have a future at Liverpool while Arne Slot is in charge.