Jason McAteer has claimed that Liverpool prodigy Harvey Elliott has what it takes to emulate Barcelona legends Xavi and Andres Iniesta at Anfield.
While speaking on LFC TV, as relayed by Daily Mail, Jason McAteer has made some big claims about Harvey Elliott. The former Liverpool ace has compared the 18-year-old attacking prospect to Barcelona legends Xavi and Andres Iniesta, saying he sees those qualities in him.
Harvey Elliott joined Liverpool from Fulham in the summer of 2019, widely regarded as one of the brightest up-and-coming talents in England. In his maiden campaign with the club, the teenage prodigy did show a lot of flashes of brilliance whenever given an opportunity to impress.
However, it is while on loan at Blackburn Rovers last season that Elliott really managed to make an impression in a big way, becoming a pivotal player for the Championship outfit. The 18-year-old managed a superb tally of seven goals and 11 assists in 42 appearances for the Riversiders and has since returned to Liverpool for pre-season.
With Xherdan Shaqiri now being linked with a possible summer departure amid his claims that Liverpool will not stop him from leaving, there have been suggestions that Elliott could be a part of the first-team squad in the upcoming season. And after continuing to impress during the Reds’ pre-season campaign, he has drawn big praises from Jason McAteer.
The former Liverpool star said while speaking to LFC TV (h/t Daily Mail), “I’m a big fan from the minute I saw him (Elliott). I saw him in a pre-season friendly in Switzerland, his pass appreciation, his touch. He was sensational.”
“His best position is a million dollar question. For me I do see – and these are big names coming out – I do see Xavi and Iniesta in him. I see Thiago as well, that kind of player developing. When I say that, I see a player who can see a pass, is comfortable on the ball – he’ll have it in a phone box. He always wants to get on it, his head’s on a swivel always looking around but he can execute.”
Those are some big claims from McAteer and only time will tell whether Elliott has what it takes to emulate Barcelona legends Xavi and Andres Iniesta. For now, the teenage prodigy just continues to impress to no end for Liverpool and it will be interesting to see if he is a part of Jurgen Klopp’s first-team plans this coming season.
