There are a few members of the Liverpool squad who might actually benefit from the departure of legendary manager Jurgen Klopp.
Take Curtis Jones, for instance.
Speaking during pre-season as Klopp’s replacement Arne Slot began putting his own stamp on the team, Curtis admitted that he was ‘probably the happiest I have been’ as a Liverpool player.
This was no slight on Klopp – the man who gave him his break and turned Jones into a regular at his boyhood club – but more a reflection of the fact Jones feels more comfortable in a possession-based system which could make better use of his technical abilities, per Goal.
Fellow youngster Harvey Elliott has been equally effusive in his praise.
Working with the former Feyenoord boss, Elliott told Sky Sports, had been an ‘amazing’ experience during Slot’s first few weeks in England.
His desire to improve each and every one of his players by even the smallest percentage is an attribute that should be relished by Elliott and Jones; two of Liverpool’s many uber-talented youngsters who have not yet come close to realising their full potential.
Harvey Elliott set for a big season at Arne Slot’s Liverpool
Jamie Carragher, the legendary Liverpool centre-back, is excited to see what Slot has planned for Elliott in particular.
While Klopp preferred to utilise two athletic number eights – thus forcing the slower but more cerebral Elliott out to the flanks – Slot likes to deploy a number ten in something of a free role behind the striker.
A role Carragher feels Elliott may be tailor-made for.
“(Slot’s system) actually probably suits him a little bit more than Jurgen Klopp’s,” Carragher tells Sky Sports. “He used to play in place of Salah (on the right under Klopp) but he doesn’t have the pace for that.
“I definitely think he is someone who plays in the centre. I think Slot plays with more of a number ten.”
Elliott, despite what Carragher describes as a ‘brilliant’ pre-season, did not get off the bench in last week’s 2-0 win at Ipswich Town.
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville, meanwhile, is equally effusive in his praise for the one-time Fulham wonderkid.
While he is not advocating for Elliott to leave Liverpool for a fresh start at Manchester City or Barcelona, Neville does feel that the twinkle-toed England Under 21 ace possesses the requisite technical abilities to thrive in Spain or in a Pep Guardiola side.
Gary Neville draws Bernardo Silva comparison
“I always thought last season, when I watched Liverpool, every time he came on they had more about them. He added a lot to them,” Neville argues, likening Elliott’s skillset to that of Man City superstar Bernardo Silva.
“I think he is a player who, with all due respect and I think he will have a great career at Liverpool, he would be amazing in Spain. Honestly, his technical ability, the way he plays…
“Pep would love him. Like a Bernardo, you think about him in terms of the way he plays.
“I heard a term the other day that was quite good; ‘wide-controllers’. He’s like that. He controls the game from a wide area. Pep would love him.
“I like him as a player.”
Elliott will hope to feature when Liverpool face Brentford in Slot’s competitive Anfield debut on Sunday.
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