It is Harvey Elliott’s ‘wonderful’ decision-making which marks the Liverpool starlet out as a truly special talent, according to his new boss at Blackburn Rovers Tony Mowbray.
While many a player ten years Elliott’s junior still make a habit of falling apart whenever they approach the penalty area, this 17-year-old sensation is the rarest of beasts – a young player who, nine times out of ten, will make the right call at exactly the right time.
His dazzling performance in Blackburn Rovers’ 4-0 victory over Coventry City on Saturday proved as much.
Not only did Elliott ruthlessly dispatch his first ever career goal with one sweep of his trusty left boot, he also served up the most pinpoint and unselfish of assists for Sam Gallagher to complete the rout.
Many players would have gone for goal from that position, inside the 18 yard box. Not Elliott.
“We have to enjoy the talent that’s in front of us, we have to enjoy the purity of his football,” Mowbray tells the Lancashire Telegraph.
“Harvey is a hugely high quality footballer with the ball at his feet, he sees opportunity, makes wonderful decisions.
“Decision-making is the key thing for any footballer, when to release it, when to stay on it, when to play a long pass, a short pass, and practically every time he makes the right decisions.
“That’s why at a very young age he found himself at a club like Liverpool. We’re happy that we can play a small part in his development and give him an opportunity to help our team and club move forward.”
Liverpool had planned to keep Elliott at Anfield this season, perhaps offering the former Fulham record-breaker a few cameo appearances in cup competitions.
But the opportunity to hone his already sublime technical skills at Blackburn felt too good to turn down.
In Mowbray, Rovers have a coach who trusts and encourages young players, with Elliott slotting straight into one of the most free-flowing attacking teams in the Championship.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
