Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has labelled Harvey Elliott as like a new signing and suggested that he will be remaining a key part of his squad this season thanks to his versatility.

Elliott has returned to Anfield this summer off the back of an excellent period on loan with Blackburn Rovers in the Championship last term.

The attacker managed to register an impressive tally of seven goals and 11 assists in his 41 league appearance for Rovers, marking him out as one of the best-attacking players in the division.

During the off-season, Elliott has been attracting transfer attention once again and it has been reported that the likes of Blackburn Rovers and Brentford have been interested in securing his services on a loan deal.

While Sheffield United are the side to have most recently been linked with a potential move for the 18-year-old as Slavisa Jokanovic aims to add some extra creativity to his squad.

 

 

Speaking to Liverpool’s official club website following a pre-season fixture against Athletic Club, Klopp insisted that Elliott is like a new signing for them this summer and that he could have a key role to play for them throughout the new campaign.

He said: “We have new signings, we brought three players we couldn’t use last year for most of the season, we have back in the team. We have obviously a new midfielder in our squad with Harvey Elliott. We have players who can make a big step to fulfil their potential, they are in a good way."

On the versatility that Elliott can bring to Liverpool after he was played in a deeper role in pre-season he added: “He can play the position and how you saw then a little bit later when he went up front, Mo went in the centre and Harvey played then the right-wing. He smashed the ball on the crossbar in that moment. He can play different positions, there’s absolutely no doubt about it.

“But in the pre-season we wanted to see him just in a deeper role because for a young player you have to learn a lot of things when you are a bit more outside and you get the ball from time to time. We wanted to have him more involved.

“And I think he made a big step in this pre-season. If Harvey stays fit then the football world can be really excited about that. I liked his performance today, I liked his performance and attitude during the pre-season. So, good for us, good for him.”

The verdict

This is a major blow for Sheffield United and their hopes of securing a potential loan move for Elliott this summer.

It would seem that any hopes that they had that Liverpool might be willing to allow him to spend another campaign away from Anfield are over. Klopp seems to be viewing him very much as a firm part of his plans for this season.

You can understand why Liverpool are wanting to keep hold of the 18-year-old. He is someone that has elite potential and his understanding and reading of the game is already very good for someone of his age.

There is no doubt that he could play a vital role for them in the Premier League if he is handed regular chances by Klopp.

A loan to Sheffield United would have been a good one for him. He would have been able to be their go-to creative talent throughout the campaign.

However, if Liverpool are going to give him game time then there is no reason really for him to head back down to the Championship really.