Don Hutchison told BBC Radio 5 Live Sport that Harvey Elliott is having a ‘brilliant’ pre-season for Liverpool.
The Radio pundit also claimed that the 18-year-old could move ‘closer’ to Liverpool’s first-team picture and seemingly replace Xherdan Shaqiri if he is sold.
The former Stoke man, who joined the club for £13.5 million in 2018 (Sky Sports), could be one of several senior players leaving this summer, as Liverpool are seemingly willing to sell their left-footed technician.
If that happens then it opens that extra door for Elliott, as Hutchison shared his thoughts on the four-way Premier League title race that might ensue next season.
“I think Jurgen could do with one or two players,” said Hutchison. “By all accounts, I hear that Harvey Elliott has had a brilliant pre-season.
“The rumours are if Shaqiri moves on then Harvey Elliott becomes closer to the first team. Oxlade-Chamberlain has been playing as a false nine, so he has had lots of minutes.
“So, the teams to beat are Manchester City and Liverpool. But I wouldn’t discount Chelsea if they made further signings.
“They definitely, Chelsea, cannot win the Premier League title without a number nine – at this moment in time, it’s a four-horse race.”
Elliott was on loan at Championship side Blackburn Rovers last season where he impressed those at Ewood Park.
England’s second-tier has proven to be a hotbed for English players to make a name for themselves and Elliott might just be the next name on the block.
In recent years, Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham, Jude Bellingham, Kalvin Phillips and Jack Grealish have been the success stories from the Championship.
Whilst the likes of Jesse Lingard, Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy also used that platform to get to the heights they are hitting now in the Premier League.
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