Harvey Elliott returns to Anfield for the first time since making the gut-wrenching decision to leave Liverpool in the summer. But that the former England under-21 international will be watching from the stands is very much in keeping with how his fortunes have transpired since switching to Aston Villa.

Elliott, of course, is unable to play as he his technically on loan from Liverpool to the Midlanders, with Premier League rules stating such a transfer means the player cannot appear against his parent club in the competition.

However, with Villa having an obligation to buy the 22-year-old for £35million at the end of the season, Elliott has played his last game for his boyhood club.

And in any case there was every chance Elliott would not have started at Anfield with life in Birmingham...