It was a Premier League debut to remember for Harvey Elliott on Saturday as Liverpool beat Burnley at Anfield.
The 18-year-old wasn’t among the goals, but he was certainly among the game’s stand-out players and Jurgen Klopp sung his praises at full time.
Elliott joined Liverpool as a wide player in 2019 following a £4.3 million move from Fulham.
But he dazzled in a midfield role against the Clarets and Klopp – who sent him on loan to Blackburn last season – claims that his performance in training over the past seven weeks has warranted a stint in the first XI.
He told the club’s official website: “Everybody wants to talk to me about Harvey and I understand absolutely – when an 18-year-old boy plays such a mature game I can understand why everyone was asking.
“But I was not surprised he played like this. That is exactly how he has trained now for six or seven weeks since we are back, since he is back from loan. Yes, it was good.”
Transfers
Klopp might use Elliott’s performance as an excuse to not sign another midfielder.
Liverpool are linked with a replacement for Georginio Wijnaldum after the Dutchman’s switch to Paris Saint-Germain during the summer.
But going into the final furlong of the transfer window, it seems unlikely that the Anfield side are going to get anybody.
And that might not be such a bad thing because as the teen demonstrated on Saturday, he is already good enough for the Premier League and the future is looking very, very bright for him.
Having said that, you have to note, for the sake of balance, that far bigger tests than Burnley will come for Elliott this season and Liverpool might yet regret it if they fail to sign a more experienced figure to replace Wijnaldum.
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