‘I’m 100% ready’ — EFL Young Player of the Season nominee Elliott backs himself to challenge in Liverpool first-team
Harvey Elliott has enjoyed a breakthrough season on loan at Blackburn Rovers and has now thrown down the gauntlet to challenge for a first-team place at Liverpool when he returns in the summer.
Elliott, 18, remains the Premier League’s youngest debutant at 16 years and 30 days after he was handed a late cameo appearance for Fulham against Wolves in April 2019, before he subsequently joined Liverpool that summer.
The England U17 international made eight appearances for Jurgen Klopp’s men last term, including twice in the Reds’ Premier League-winning run, as well as a starting berth in the club’s League Cup fourth-round win over Arsenal at Anfield.
Given the surfeit of attacking talent at Klopp’s disposal, Elliot sought more consistent playing time with a temporary move away from Anfield, pitching up at Ewood Park as a result, where the talented tyro has gone on to flourish under the experienced tutelage of Tony Mowbray.
Elliot’s fruitful final-third exploits, which includes the second-most assists of any player in the Championship this term (11) and second-most big chances created (14), has culminated in him receiving an EFL Young Player of the Season nomination, and he now has his sights set on bigger targets.
Speaking to the Counter Attack Podcast, he said: “Next season I am going to go back thinking I can get in the team. I have had this experience and feel ready, and have 50 appearances under my belt, which is a lot for a teenager.
“I feel 100% confident I can go in and challenge. I’m looking forward to the fight and showing to people I am a different player and ready to play when called upon.
“I will need to work hard and train well and if I get my chance, I have to take it.”
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‘I had a chat with Jurgen and he supported me 100%’
Elliot went on to reveal that prior to his move to Blackburn he had a chat with Klopp and the German was fully in support of the teenager gaining valuable experience away from the club.
He continued: “I had a few appearances here and there last season and took this loan with Blackburn, which I personally thought would be the best thing for me.
“I had a chat with Jurgen as well and he said for me to go and express myself, and that the move would be the best thing for my career and for me to get the games and experience.
“He said he’d support me 100%.”
