Troy Deeney has heaped praise on Liverpool talent Harvey Elliott after the midfielder opened his Reds account on Sunday, in a 3-1 win over Cardiff. Elliott finally made his return after five months out with an ankle injury.
Back in August, Elliott was on the receiving end of a robust challenge from Leeds star Pascal Struijk. It saw Elliott undergo ankle surgery, bad timing after a superb loan at Blackburn and breaking into Liverpool’s starting XI.
But he has since recovered and featured for the last 30 minutes against Championship side Cardiff on Sunday. He marked his return with a superb swivel and shot that flew past Cardiff goalkeeper Dillon Phillips.
Diogo Jota and Takumi Minamino also netted for the Reds in a comfortable FA Cup fourth round win. But it was Elliott, as well as Luis Diaz that stole the headlines. Deeney heaped praise on Elliott, on BBC’s FA Cup highlights.
“What technique. What a finish, he somehow gets five yards space. To swivel, for any young boys watching, look at the technique there. Swivel, switches his body, never lets his eyes off the ball and what a finish.”
Deeney on Elliott: Liverpool star is like a new signing for Reds
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita, Curtis Jones and others have all shown glimpses of quality from attacking midfield. But in his cameo against Cardiff, Elliott reminded all just what he brings to the table.
Work rate, skill, versatility and the end product of a player that has been playing at this level for years. Elliott is like a new signing and if Manchester City are to slip up, Liverpool will need all they have to catch them.
Elliott is like a new signing. A breath of fresh air, Elliott installs an air of excitement and enthusiasm among Liverpool fans. His reception after returning on Sunday was superb – much like his performance.
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