Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp reckons the highly-promising teenage forward Harvey Elliott is cut out for a major role in the Liverpool first-team ranks this upcoming season.
Elliott enjoyed a stellar campaign away from Anfield last season at Championship outfit Blackburn Rovers with the youngster’s showing up top on the pitch drawing him much praise.
With Liverpool losing a wide man in Harry Wilson earlier this summer to Fulham and as Xherdan Shaqiri nears his long-awaited exit from Anfield to sign for French outfit Lyon, Jurgen Klopp will need alternative options to turn to for his attacking department.
Speaking to the club’s official website ahead of Liverpool’s clash against Norwich City on the opening day of the 2021-22 Premier League season, Klopp admitted that Elliott’s great run of form during the pre-season fixtures could warrant a greater first-team role for the 18-year-old winger.
Elliott was used as a midfield option by Klopp and despite being drafted in an unusual role, the player who recently signed a long-term deal on Merseyside with the Reds, put out a series of great displays.
“He showed up in an exceptional way (during pre-season), although he wasn’t the only one.
“But of course, Harvey is only 18 so it might be really exceptional. The only problem Harvey has is we don’t treat him like an 18-year-old boy, at least not in training sessions and on the pitch as his football is pretty mature in a lot of moments.
“Off the pitch he is much more a kid than on the pitch.
“That’s really exciting. We are happy about that. Like all our midfielders he brings something different and a different dimension into the game.
“His dribbling top, passing range really good, a lot of things. It’s really interesting.”
