Graeme Souness feels Harvey Elliott ‘would be better’ if the midfielder does not start while Liverpool are struggling. Jurgen Klopp substituted him at half-time at Brentford on Monday.
Elliott opened the action at the Gtech Community Stadium as the Reds went on to lose 3-1 to the Bees. But Klopp felt forced to make changes at the break as Naby Keita came on for the 19-year-old. He had struggled to make a positive impact during his spells in possession.
Mathias Jensen also capitalised on Elliott’s error to set Yoane Wissa up to score Brentford’s second goal. The England U21 international mistakenly attempted a dummy in his own half from which the Bees broke down the right side. Alisson could not keep Wissa’s header out.
Elliott was enjoying his 12th start across 17 Premier League appearances so far this season in Liverpool’s defeat at Brentford. He also opened four of his six matches in the Champions League group stage. While Klopp also started the teenager once over two EFL Cup outings.
The former Fulham prospect could now earn another starting call when the Reds welcome Wolves to Anfield in the FA Cup. Liverpool kick off their title defence against the Molineux natives on Saturday night. Elliott only started one of his three FA Cup matches last season.
Souness hints Liverpool ‘would be better’ if Klopp now axes Elliott from the XI
Souness feels Klopp may be better off benching Elliott while Liverpool are struggling to get consistent results, though. Their FA Cup match with Wolves comes after losing two of their last four games in all competitions. They also needed two own goals to beat Leicester City.
Wout Faes’ pair of errors gifted the Reds their 2-1 win after Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall had put the Foxes ahead. Liverpool then losing at Brentford has left Souness seeing faults in four of Klopp’s players and suggests Elliott might have a greater impact if axed from their line-up.
“Thiago is a silky footballer but can’t do the pressing,” Souness wrote in his column for the Daily Mail. “Jordan Henderson does not have the energy he once did.
“Harvey Elliott would be better coming into a team that is winning. And Fabinho has been a good player. But he has always been no more than just a steady player for me.”
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