Former Liverpool man shares x-rated rave review of glowing Anfield starlet
Blackburn and former Liverpool winger Stewart Downing has revealed his rave review about on-loan Reds attacker Harvey Elliott.
Elliott moved to Ewood Park in October, signing up to a season-long loan at the Championship club. The 17-year-old had made his first forays into first-team action at Liverpool, but the Anfield club felt a move away would benefit his development. Indeed, Elliott has took full advantage, scoring five goals and assisting 11 others in 33 league games.
In fact, six games is the longest run the teenager has gone on this season without a direct goal contribution.
His future remains unclear, with it possible that he will sign up to another loan next season to aid his progress.
However, having signed his first long-term Anfield contract last summer, Elliott has a bright future ahead of him.
This season, meanwhile, Elliott has been working with ex-Liverpool winger Downing, who has shared his thoughts on the youngster.
“From what I’ve seen up to now, he’s going to be in the Premier League for sure,” Downing told Goal.
“I know [Bournemouth manager] Jonathan Woodgate well, and he’s quite close to [Liverpool sporting director] Michael Edwards. He asked me about Harvey when he came to Blackburn, and I was like ‘f*****g hell, he’s brilliant!’
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“It’s his game-understanding, when to pass the ball, when to dribble, when to come inside, when to stay wide. For someone so young, it’s top-drawer.
“Woody told me they have high hopes for him at Liverpool, and I can see why.
“But he knows better than anyone that he has a big job on his hands to get into the team.”
Elliott’s chances of first-team football at Liverpool look slim at the moment. However, as Woodgate pointed out, he could find himself in a situation where his situation changes due to injuries in the team.
In fact, such a scenario has already unfolded for the Reds this term; all three senior-centre-halves have suffered long-term injuries, meaning Nat Phillips has become a centrepiece of the team.
The 24-year-old was put on the free-to-go list last summer, following previous loan spells in Germany.
Elliott must take his Liverpool chance
“It’s one thing doing it at Blackburn, but we are talking about a team that wants to win Premier Leagues and Champions Leagues,” Downing added.
“Liverpool have to challenge, and Harvey has to get Mo Salah out of the team!
“But things can happen. If Salah leaves or gets injured, then he may get a chance, and then it’s up to him to take it.
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“He’s got the quality, and playing with better players will bring the best out of him. And [Jurgen] Klopp obviously likes him, so he has a chance.”
Elliott had made nine senior appearances for Liverpool before his move to Lancashire.
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