Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is very impressed by their teenage sensation Harvey Elliot. The youngster will be looking to make a mark this season in Merseyside and he has already entered the good books of the German tactician.
Klopp feels that the 18-year-old youngster is in perfect shape to break into the first team in the upcoming season. The Reds roped Elliot in 2019 from Fulham and has already made nine appearances for the Reds’ senior team becoming the youngest player ever to represent Liverpool.
However, for his overall development, he joined Balckburn Rovers last summer and there again he impressed a lot of people. The 18-year-old scored seven goals and assisted eleven in 41 appearances. He was undoubtedly one of the best players in Tony Mowbray’s team. All this has impressed Klopp a lot and he feels that the Englishman has that potential in him and wants him to take the next steps in his career.
“Harvey made a step, I have to say. He looks in a proper shape, really, really fit,” the Liverpool boss told the club’s official website. “He came back in good shape and is here now in full training obviously.
“You can see last year really worked well for him. Now let’s take the next steps together.”
His impression was mostly due to his impressive performances for the Rovers last season. He was probably one of the fan favourite as the team finished at an underwhelming 15th position. While Klopp may hand him more game time but getting regular minutes is the need of the hour for the 18-year old. That is one aspect that he may not get at Anfield considering the competition he will face to make it to the starting XI in every game.
But fans argue that Georginio Wijnaldum’s departure has opened up a spot in the team and they want to see Harvey Elliot replace the dutchman. The 18-year-old is very versatile, he is predominantly a no. 10 but can play up from in a false 9 role or even slot in on either flank. Therefore he offers Klopp a lot of options with his versatility and can be a great option as an impact sub at least for the upcoming season.
However, Wijnaldum’s role at Liverpool is a lot different to what people think and Elliot is more attack-minded than the Dutchman. So he may not be the ideal replacement for the Reds. But it will be interesting to see whether Klopp decides to loan him out again or makes him a part of the senior team.
