Soccer Football - Carabao Cup Final - Chelsea v Liverpool - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - February 27, 2022 Liverpool's Harvey Elliott celebrates after winning the Carabao Cup REUTERS/David Klein
Liverpool youngster Harvey Elliott has an ‘absolutely massive’ future at the club after news broke of his new deal, according to former Premier League striker Noel Whelan.
The lowdown: Rising star
Signed from Fulham as a 16-year-old, Elliott made a debut for the Reds against MK Dons in September 2019 before spending the 2020/12 campaign on loan at Blackburn Rovers.
The 19-year-old England youth international scored seven times and provided 12 assists in 42 appearances for the Championship outfit and returned to Liverpool seemingly ready to play a huge role in Jurgen Klopp’s plans.
However, a badly broken ankle curtailed any further development last term and Elliott was forced to watch on from the sidelines for a prolonged spell.
Having made a successful return to the fold in February, the attacking midfielder put pen to paper on a new deal last week and Whelan is delighted by the news…
The latest: ‘Absolutely massive’
Reacting in a chat with Football Insider, the ex-Leeds United frontman and former BBC Radio show host suggested that the one-cap England Under 21 starlet has a bright future at the elite level ahead of him.
He said: “It’s [a new contract] a no-brainer. He’s got real longevity. He has come out the other side of a horrific injury – come back bigger, better and stronger.
“He looks possibly even more hungry and sharp, and he’ll now get his rewards for that persistence. He’s still learning, and if you watch him play now at 19 years of age – you can’t help but think that this kid will be absolutely massive for Liverpool in the years to come.”
“He deserves this long-term contract, better money. He’ll be learning so much from all these other world-class players at the club.”
The verdict: Spot on
Despite his tender years, Elliott is already playing a pivotal role in the Reds’ first team as illustrated by his involvement in all three competitive games so far this season.
In fact, the £19.8million valued starlet was among the standout performers for Klopp’s charges at Anfield in the 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace as new signing Darwin Nunez was dismissed, earning a 7.60 Sofascore rating for a display containing two key passes, six successful duels and a 90 per cent passing accuracy.
That outing made it 23 for the Liverpool first team for Elliott and judging by his impact as a teen, there will be many more to come provided he can stay relatively injury-free.
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