Harvey Elliott caught the attention of the England under-21s with a superb goal last night and his performance must have raised an important issue for Liverpool and Jürgen Klopp.
As the youngest member of the England Under-21 squad at the European Championships, Harvey Elliott naturally has more of a ‘reserve’ role in the squad.
But on Wednesday night before the young Three Lions’ final group match, he came into the squad with a point to prove and he did so in style, giving Jürgen Klopp and Liverpool a timely reminder to go home.
Elliott started England’s final group match against Germany, playing on the tip of a diamond in midfield and making his moments count, scoring after a brilliant run from the halfway line to get past opposition defenders and put the ball on behind to shoot into the net .
An extraordinary individual effort was just the icing on the cake of a brilliant performance by Elliott. Elliott was calm in possession, constantly creating chances for his teammates, and led the show as he played as a number 10 just behind the striker.
Elliott has not only excelled offensively. There was also defensive prowess from him, hitting the ball overhead multiple times and winning five of his five defensive dueling attempts according to Wyscout, returning six times and intercepting twice.
But as impressive as the Liverpool youngster was that night, his performance also raises questions about his future at Liverpool.
Elliott is clearly a great talent. One of the most exciting youngsters to have come through the ranks of Liverpool over the last decade. But there are still so many unanswered questions: the most important is its position.
At Liverpool, Elliott started out as a winger in the club’s academy. He also played a few games on the right flank for Klopp’s first team and started attracting attention aged 16. However, over time, Elliott evolved into a midfielder.
While on loan, Elliott often played as a number 10 center and even a false nine at Blackburn Rovers. After returning from his loan spell at Blackburn, Klopp used him as part of his third midfielder on the right flank.
However, Elliott’s play in this formation has some limitations. The most important point is the fact that Elliott is an offensive player. He thrives when he is higher up the pitch and able to create chances and score goals in the final third.
Elliott can’t do that easily in Liverpool’s three-man midfield, especially when playing down the right flank where Trent Alexander-Arnold is already advancing so far, leaving spaces for opponents to exploit.
This means that when Elliott plays a threesome on the right side of midfield, he often has to sink deeper and take cover from the Liverpool full-back. But in doing so, Klopp loses Elliott’s best assets.
It’s a dilemma Klopp has faced all season at Liverpool. Impressive as Elliott was last season, he has often left the Reds uncovered in midfield, and that can’t happen again next year.
No doubt Elliott’s defense improved during the latter part of the campaign. His performance for England against Germany at the European Under-21 Championship seems to confirm that.
But paradoxically, the dilemma remains as his defensive work was matched by his brilliant individual performance to score England’s second goal of the game.
Klopp just needs to find a way to use Elliott and get the most out of him in his Liverpool system. As Elliott proved last night, he is simply too talented to waste at Anfield.
