​Liverpool’s summer rebuild must be driven by necessity, not sentiment, focusing on transforming the squad into genuine Premier League and Champions League contenders under Andoni Iraola. Every player must fit the identity he wants to implement; if not, tough decisions are unavoidable. Harvey Elliott and Federico Chiesa clearly fall into that category.
Elliott returns to Anfield after a disappointing loan at Aston Villa, where he failed to convince Unai Emery that he could be a regular starter or a reliable backup. Some fans advocate giving him another chance with the new coaching staff, but that path feels unlikely to work now. Elliott possesses superb technical quality and a classy left foot, yet elite football at the top level demands more than technique. Iraola’s teams thrive on relentless pressing, athleticism, recovery runs, and explosive transitions. Players must cover long distances, win duels, and maintain a sky-high tempo. Elliott’s physicality and pace do not consistently meet those demands, and he would likely fade into the background at another club. His commitment remains unquestioned and his relationship with the fanbase is warm, but suitability is the key issue.
Similarly, Federico Chiesa has seen his enormous potential tempered by injuries. The Italian talent arrived with a lofty reputation, but injuries have prevented him from recapturing the explosive form that once made him feared on the wing. At 28, it increasingly seems unlikely that he is the player Liverpool hoped they were signing, capable of delivering week in, week out. His determination has never been in doubt, but his body no longer supports the demands of his ambitions as much as his mind still does.
The sale of Elliott and Chiesa would fund Liverpool’s next phase. This isn’t about patching a couple of holes; it’s about a full squad rebuild. A starting right winger would be needed to replace Mohamed Salah, two dynamic central midfielders to restore aggression and energy, a first-choice right-back, and an additional centre-back to plan for both present and future challenges. Every pound matters in this overhaul, and if Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes can generate around £25 million from Elliott, it would be a meaningful contribution to shaping the next great Liverpool side.