One of Jurgen Klopp's last regrets at Liverpool was not using Harvey Elliott more often, and now the versatile midfielder could hit the road.
Last season Elliott, 21, had his best season at Anfield, with four goals and 11 assists in 53 appearances. But after starting this season with a broken foot, the former Fulham star has struggled to get back into the first team under Arne Slot.
Elliott was usually also on the margins under Klopp. Yet his performances led to his then manager admitting that he should have been included in the staring XI more than he was.
However, as it has been difficult to get started under Slot, Elliott's lack of action is said to have put several clubs on notice. According to Sky Sports, Borussia Dortmund and Brighton and Hove Albion are among those interested.
The youngster's lack of playing time has attracted the interest of both clubs, both known for their ability to develop young players. He was an unused substitute in the Reds' 1–0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final. Elliott is also yet to start a Premier League game under Slot, who has only used him for 43 minutes all season.
The England U21 international's only start this season came in the 2-1 win over Southampton in the League Cup quarter-finals. Elliott was also on the fringes when Klopp was still in the dugout.
Unfortunately for the former Blackburn Rovers loanee, while his performances made Klopp regret not using him often, Slot seems comfortable not using him. Last season, when asked about Elliott after a string of strong performances, Klopp said: “It's not like I go back and think, 'Okay, what have we all done wrong here and there?'
“But if I have one regret, it's that maybe Harvey didn't play often enough. It was a very important and intense period. January, [with] a lot of injuries, he played very well.
“He was probably our best player, right wing, right midfielder, all that kind of stuff. Everyone came back and he got minutes here and there. Then he didn't start again.” [He] came on [and had] a big impact, but it's really nice that he was able to show it.”
It is currently unknown what Elliott's position on the rumors is. But if his recent interview with The Times is anything to go by, he hasn't given up at Anfield yet.
Elliott said: “With the games coming faster and faster, it is now just about practicing the new style of play we have learned with the gaffer and how we continue to apply it in games. It's completely different from what we played before, so it's like when you're performing, when you have a show, you keep going there and rehearsing it and rehearsing your lines or your part of the piece.
“That's kind of what we're doing right now. We're just going to keep doing things over and over and making sure we really get it done.”
Comments