Andoni Iraola has offered Harvey Elliott hopes of reviving his Liverpool career.
Elliott returned to Anfield following an ill-fated loan spell with Aston Villa last season during which he made only nine appearances in all competitions.
The midfielder’s move to Villa Park was set to be made permanent once he made 10 Premier League outings but was utilised just five times by Unai Emery’s side.
Elliott was one of several Reds’ first-teamers who returned to pre-season training ahead of schedule as Iraola worked predominantly with the club’s under-21 side.
And the Basque is encouraged by the 23-year-old’s approach to get his Anfield career back on track in spite of a chastening experience in the Midlands.
Asked whether Elliott had a role in his plan, Iraola replied: “Definitely. Harvey is here with us.
“I’ve seen him with this eagerness of showing himself, getting himself ready again. He will have a chance during the pre-season. We will need him [then].
“It’s a good sign he came [back] one week earlier. He has been training with the under-21s and I hope we can see him in a good place.
“I think Harvey comes from, especially last season, [a situation that] had to be very difficult for him because it was a strange situation where they couldn’t even put him in to play.
“I think he uses the bad situation he has experienced to make him even more eager to be a Liverpool player.”