Unai Emery has insisted that Harvey Elliott’s lack of game time this season was due to both Aston Villa and Liverpool protecting their own interests.
The 23-year-old has played just 110 minutes of Premier League football this term, largely because Emery decided early in the season that he did not want to sign Elliott on a permanent deal.
Villa would have been obliged to pay £35 million to secure Elliott from Liverpool if he made 10 Premier League appearances. However, he has also been used sparingly in the Europa League.
By the winter window, Villa were keen to remove the conditions attached to the deal and instead push for a straight loan, which would have allowed Emery to select Elliott more freely. Liverpool, however, were unwilling to modify the agreement.
That decision was influenced mostly by Villa emerging as a direct rival to Liverpool. As Liverpool’s title challenge faded at the start of January, their focus shifted toward securing a top five finish.
Elliott will now return to Liverpool this summer after a difficult spell at Villa, although Emery has praised the midfielder’s attitude throughout the situation.
"I explained it at the beginning of the season, when we decided how we needed to manage his situation as a player, as a person as well," Emery said.
"Of course, as a person, it is a difficult season for him because he is not playing matches. We got this responsibility when we signed him, but then Liverpool had their responsibility when we were speaking in December, January, in the transfer window.
"And of course, each club has their responsibility and has their decision. One thing is clear - I always spoke with him, being honest always, and of course, he's a fantastic guy, a fantastic guy.
"Hopefully, he can continue his career and get his best, because he's a fantastic guy. He deserved it. His attitude is fantastic every day, and the respect he has for me and for the teammates is really fantastic."
Emery has yet to beat Liverpool in the Premier League, drawing four and losing six of his 10 meetings with the Reds.
A victory this time would be significant, as it would secure Champions League qualification for Villa. They would then turn their attention to Wednesday night’s Europa League final against SC Freiburg.
"Yes, it is normal because they are a fantastic team. When we [Sevilla] beat them, then it was the first year with Klopp. They were favourites and we could beat them, which was something fantastic in that moment.
"Then how they progressed in the Premier League and how they are performing, being at the top level, it is very difficult to compete against them.
"It would be something not normal if we were beating them normally. They are beating us more than we are beating them. With the process we are in, it is not a surprise."
Asked if he would rotate his team, with the Istanbul final looming, Emery said: "The Premier League has been the priority and will still be the priority because we are going to play the final, and we have now a 50 per cent chance to win the title and play in the Champions League.
"Through the league is the first priority because we are involved clearly for fourth position with Liverpool, and we can even lose fifth because behind us are Bournemouth and Brighton with chances to get us.
"Of course, it is something very important to finish the season with the highest target we set at the beginning of the season. Our ambition is to play Champions League next year. It is something we must try to get through different ways we have.
"Tomorrow is the first one, it is the Premier League, it is Liverpool. It is something we can feel as a special day because Liverpool last year won the Premier League, and this year we are on the same points, with more or less the same players. It is something which makes me happy, how we are competing."
