Jurgen Klopp now has the best replacement for Liverpool up his sleeve
Keifer MacDonald takes a closer look at Harvey Elliott’s important role for Liverpool this season, despite most of his chances coming from the substitutes and bench
Liverpool’s German manager Jurgen Klopp (L) hugs Liverpool and England midfielder Harvey Elliott (R) after the final whistle of the UEFA Champions League Group A football match between Glasgow Rangers and Liverpool at Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow. , 12 October 2022 – Liverpool beat Glasgow Rangers 7-1
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp hugs midfielder Harvey Elliott
If Harvey Elliott has learned anything from his new position at Liverpool, it’s that sometimes less is more.
After making 46 appearances in all competitions for the Reds last season, the 20-year-old would see the summer arrivals of Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as an opportunity to boost his Anfield pecking order. order
Unfortunately for Elliott, the arrivals of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch limited him to just one Premier League start after the first nine games.
In fact, Elliott’s Kop-final strike all but sealed Liverpool’s 243rd Merseyside derby win. Although he didn’t score, he later enjoyed the favor of the Kop when he asked Mohamed Salah to join his celebrations after the Egyptian scored the game-winning second.
Elliot and#039; His only start of the Premier League season came at Brighton and Hove Albion before the international break in October when the Reds suffered a late blow as Lewis Dunk secured the brace for the home side.
On the south coast, Roberto de Zerbiand#039’s side significantly stifled Elliotand#039’s strike as he was limited to just 22 touches – the lowest by a Liverpool starter – before being replaced by Gravenberch at half-time. Red sand#039; The No.19 in particular struggled with the physical aspects of his role, winning just one of three doubles against the impressive Carlos Baleba and Pascal Gross.
A well deserved starting spot at the Amex came after impressive performances from the substitutes and #039; On the bench in recent weeks as he helped Liverpool to wins against Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers. His early retirement was understandably a bitter pill to swallow as he was forced to watch the second half from afar from the dugout,
After such disappointment as the Reds dropped points for a second consecutive Premier League game, Elliott was given a string of much-needed outings during the England and Under-21s break. Young Lions for the first time against Ukraine, three days later.
Such a major landmark would not be enough for the midfielder to make his second Premier League start of the season, however, as he was overlooked in favor of Gravenberch and Szoboszlai, who were tasked with taking the game to rivals Liverpool and Stanley Park. .
On an afternoon where Everton’s 10 men held firm after the loss of Ashley Young to a second yellow card in the 37th minute, Liverpool’s patience was always strained as the contest progressed into Saturday afternoon.
Of course, there was some luck in the fact that the Reds were awarded a penalty in the 74th minute when Luis Diazand’s cross hit the arm of Michael Keane. Such luck, however, came from Liverpool’s tolerance and maturity to maintain their principles throughout the second half. Indeed, despite Hames Pickford, James Tarkowski and Co desperate to wear down the home crowd and waste precious seconds at Anfield, the Reds never showed signs of panic.
The ability to do so begins with the introduction of Elliottand#039 in the 62nd minute when he came on alongside Darwin Nunez as part of a double substitution. As has already happened several times this season, Elliottand#039; the arrival of Liverpool in the last third of the game to complete their opposition.
Much of his success came from his ability to move the ball quickly, especially to Salah, to whom he passed the ball to eight times in 28 minutes. Salah could take the ball deeper and meet the Bluesand#039; now a five-man back line. Elliott couldn’t just pick Salah. In fact, the youngsters finished his two-half cameo with a 100% pass (31/31), which played an essential role in the effective recovery of the ball by the Reds.
Such patience was lacking in Liverpool’s games on several occasions last season, as their efforts often disappeared in games despite starting brightly. To keep the pace at Anfield, Elliottand#039 made 14 of his 31 passes in the final third and 11 of those were converted.
The player who started last season’s home wins against Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United and scored in back-to-back Champions League away games this time last year will get a chance to feature in the Merseyside derby. was never enough. Elliott is expected to get his full chance to impress on Thursday when French Cup winners Toulouse visit Europa League side Anfield. It is the first of 15 games – 16 if promotion is secured next week – and the Carabao Cup tie with Bournemouth and Liverpool will be played over the remaining 68 days of 2023.
andquot;I feel I can do work wherever I am,andquot; Elliott said last week of the increasing competition for places in Jurgen Kloppand’s team. andquot;The most important thing is to put on that red shirt and play. I will work as hard as possible to make the team. andquot;It’s up to me to lift myself up and show not only the boss but the world that I’m good enough to play anywhere.andquot;
That means despite having less than 200 Premier League minutes so far this campaign, Elliott will get chances.