The rise of Harvey Elliot has not surprised former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock, as the youngster has already become a key part of Jurgen Klopp’s plan.
Harvey Elliot continues to earn plaudits for his rise within the Liverpool team as he continues to form a key part of Jurgen Klopp’s plans this season. This season, the 18-year-old has featured in all three of Liverpool’s games, playing the whole 90-minutes against Burnley and Chelsea.
Klopp is known to tread his younger talent carefully, although the German seems to be making an exception with Elliot owing to his unprecedented rise into the first team. His displays have impressed many pundits and former Reds players along the way, including Jamie Carragher, who backs the youngster to play a key role this season.
Former Arsenal defender Lee Dixon went one step ahead and compared him to Lionel Messi for his displays. Elliot graduated from Fulham’s academy and joined Liverpool. He was farmed out on loan to Blackburn Rovers, where he had an exceptional season, prompting Klopp to take his chances with him.
Moreover, his superior form could also save Liverpool plenty of funds on a new midfielder to offset the departure of Gini Wijnaldum. However, only three games are a small sample size to judge his potential, and his role this season will determine his true pedigree.
Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock has joined the long queue of admirers, as he praises Elliot’s for what he brings to the team. Warnock spoke to LFCTV and expressed his happiness at the youngster’s rise, and the Liverpool Echo posted some of his comments.
Warnock was asked if Elliot’s rise into Klopp’s team and how quickly he has become a key member has been of any surprise to him?
He said, “No, because of his form, not only for Blackburn last year but in pre-season. Whether that changed Jurgen Klopp’s mind about going out and buying another midfielder after losing [Georginio] Wijnaldum? I think it will have played a key role.”
“He has come back a man, he looks like he has filled out, he looks hungry, and I think we always knew that anyway about him. What I like about him in terms of his passing, he is always looking forward, and he is always thinking how I can hurt the opposition.”
“He travels with the ball, he looks comfortable with the ball at his feet, and I always say about him, he has arrogance, but it is a good arrogance. There is a real trust in himself that he is capable of breaking into this Liverpool team and holding his own.”
Only time will tell whether Elliott can truly replace Wijnaldum at Liverpool. The early signs, though, appear to be promising and he does seem to have a bright future ahead at Anfield.
