Liverpool Loanee Faces Fitness Concerns – Just 3 Weeks to Get Back in Shape

Forgotten Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott has come under criticism at Valencia after arriving at the club without a proper pre-season and reportedly carrying extra weight.
Elliott joined the Spanish side on loan towards the end of the transfer window, but he has struggled for regular playing time since his arrival. His slow start may not be entirely unfamiliar, considering his limited involvement at Aston Villa last season.
However, Valencia were reportedly surprised by the condition of the 23-year-old when he arrived. The club discovered that Elliott had not completed a normal pre-season programme with Liverpool and was not yet at the required fitness level.
Elliott clearly wants to make an impression at his new club, but his current physical condition is making it difficult for him to show what he can do on the pitch.
His lack of fitness is believed to be linked to an unusual summer in which much of the focus was on finding him a new club rather than getting him fully prepared for the season.
That issue has been noticeable in his early appearances. He was even left out of Valencia’s squad against Alavés because the game was considered too physically demanding for him at that stage.
The current version of Elliott is a long way from the exciting youngster who previously impressed Liverpool and earned opportunities under former manager Jurgen Klopp.
According to Marca, Elliott arrived at Valencia above his ideal playing weight and now needs to use the international break as an opportunity to improve his physical condition. In effect, he has been handed another mini pre-season.
Valencia was viewed as an ideal opportunity for Elliott to restart his career, but his fitness is currently preventing him from making the desired impact.
The situation is particularly frustrating for Valencia because Elliott represents a significant financial commitment. The Spanish club are reportedly covering almost all of his Premier League-level salary.
Elliott is said to be the third-highest-paid player in Valencia’s squad, which represents a considerable expense for a club dealing with financial difficulties.
With the international break providing him with some extra time, the focus is now on getting Elliott back to his best physically. He reportedly has around three weeks to improve his fitness and put his Valencia career back on track.