Harvey Elliott‘s type has virtually juxtaposed that of the remainder of the Liverpool workforce, leaving him considerably in no man’s land throughout the squad.
If this piece was written a month earlier, Elliott would most certainly have been lauded as a lone youthful spark in a Liverpool storage of rusting elements.
As it’s, issues have moved on up and the 20-year-old was left on the sidelines within the last weeks of the season.
Harvey Elliott, 2022/23
Began: 25On instead: 21Unused sub: 5Goals: 5Assists: 2
Total Season Ranking: 7
A “rollercoaster” marketing campaign
On reflection, the teen will probably be happy together with his season.
He performed 46 occasions, together with the Neighborhood Defend, and his supervisor’s belief in him was clear for supporters to see.
Nevertheless, regardless of taking part in a component in each single match till April, Elliott could have ended the season barely dissatisfied on a private degree – although he gained’t admit that in public.
Whereas the England youth worldwide impressed within the early a part of the marketing campaign, his fortunes decreased concurrently his team-mates’ grew, and he admitted the season was a “rollercoaster.”
In actual fact, Elliott’s first absence of the season, towards Chelsea on April 4, coincided with the beginning of Liverpool’s unbeaten run, and he solely performed 113 minutes throughout the Reds’ final 11 matches.
A blessing in disguise
Liverpool’s late surge up the desk wasn’t sufficient to see them break into the highest 4 and obtain Champions League qualification.
Consequently, the Reds will play within the Europa League for the primary time since 2016, once they got here runners-up to Sevilla – who as soon as once more gained the competitors this yr.
The failure to succeed in fourth could possibly be a blessing in disguise for a number of the squad, nonetheless.
With Liverpool possible in a position to progress by the sooner rounds with out their strongest workforce, the competitors might present a possibility for gamers like Elliott, Joe Gomez and Darwin Nunez to play common soccer.
You solely have to have a look at Arsenal‘s squad to see how a few of their gamers benefitted from taking part in constantly within the competitors early within the season.
Elliott and Co. will hope they will work their manner into Klopp’s first XI, proving they will carry out below stress within the latter phases of a European season.
Positives and negatives for subsequent season
Elliott’s longstanding availability have to be seen as an enormous constructive by Klopp, who has offloaded two injury-prone midfielders this summer time.
With rotation important, particularly with Liverpool hoping to struggle till the top on 4 fronts once more, there will probably be sport time for the teen.
He’ll need, although, to be in Klopp’s first XI – and it will likely be a tough job.
The re-emergence of Curtis Jones might act as inspiration and discouragement in equal measure.
The Scouser’s reintroduction does exhibit that Klopp isn’t one to chunk the bullet early on in a participant’s profession, however his fellow Crimson is now taking on a beginning spot in midfield that Elliott is after.
Though the left-footed teen often performs on the best of the midfield, versus Jones who options on the left, it leaves little room for Elliott to turn out to be a fixture.
That’s significantly the case given the anticipated inflow of midfielders on this summer time’s switch window.
The place does he slot in?
Taking all this under consideration, the query stays of the place Elliott’s important place will probably be for Liverpool in the long run.
He performed nearly all of the season in midfield, however Klopp has proven previously that he often prefers a extra cell participant to stand up and down.
This can be much more vital on the best of midfield, with Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s transfer infield leaving the right-sided No. 8 to offer width.
An alternative choice for Elliott could be to play on the best wing.
For now, it’s apparent that he can’t displace Mo Salah, however even sooner or later, the England youth worldwide could not match on the wing for Klopp.
The supervisor prefers to have explosive gamers out huge, as evidenced by Salah, Sadio Mane and Luis Diaz being Klopp’s simplest huge attackers throughout his time on Merseyside.
All this leaves Elliott not sure of his place going ahead.
The overview
This would possibly all sound a bit destructive for a overview of one of many nation’s finest younger stars, who performed in over 45 video games all through the season.
However previously, expertise has usually gone lacking when a course of journey hasn’t been clear.
We needn’t fear but, although.
Elliott has loads of time on his aspect and has proven want to enhance every aspect of his sport: bodily, psychological and technical.
A robust efficiency on the U21 Euros this summer time would remind us simply how gifted he’s compared to the remainder of his age group.
Greatest second: A primary Premier League aim within the 9-0 vs. Bournemouth.
Worst second: Dropping his place as Liverpool went 12 video games unbeaten.
Position subsequent season: Helpful squad member who can goal for extra.
