Harvey Elliot - Is he ready?

[juniormember]

At his age, he already seems to be playing like a seasoned pro. So much calm in his play, very good vision and execution, skills, and an eye for goal.
What are your expectations of him this season? Cameo roles? Cup games only? Starter?
I'd love to see him actually starting some league games and seeing how he handles it. We don't have too many players that can constantly thread those balls through (apart from Shaq who's probably leaving) so he can potentially be really important to us.

Highlights from pre-season friendly:

 

[Dreambeliever]

Absolutely. Will play 20 games this season with 5-8 goals and assists.

 

[Dirty Sanchez]

If this kid works hard and listens, we have a fucking superstar here.

 

[RedStar]

I'd love him to stay and be part of the squad this season but on the flip side if he's not going to get minutes, and that's by no means a certainty given the level of competition we have, then maybe a loan til Christmas to a PL side would benefit him. I think he's ready, no doubt in terms of his ability,I just think he loses momentum if he's sat on the bench every week waiting for the Carabao cup to roll around so he can turn out in a glorified reserve side.

 

[juniormember]

I'd love him to stay and be part of the squad this season but on the flip side if he's not going to get minutes, and that's by no means a certainty given the level of competition we have, then maybe a loan til Christmas to a PL side would benefit him. I think he's ready, no doubt in terms of his ability,I just think he loses momentum if he's sat on the bench every week waiting for the Carabao cup to roll around so he can turn out in a glorified reserve side.

Yeah I'd rather have him out on loan in that situation. My hope is that Klopp might feel Elliot offers something no other player does, and plays him accordingly, especially against park the bus teams.

 

[Frogfish]

He's going to be a superstar. However looking through Klopp's eyes.

1. I don't think loaning him out (no team is going to have our players, our system) is going to help as much as training day in day out with our first team. Match days are over-rated compared to spending 5 days a week training with the calibre of player we have and with Klopp and his coaching team.

2. I can't see Klopp heaping pressure on a 17 year old. He'll give him minutes off the bench and starts in FAC/LC and maybe CL matches if we are playing a weak team or if qualification is done. Rare instances starting if it's due to injuries.

3. If I try to look through Klopp's eyes at the options for slots he could play in (AM, RW) then those ahead of him are : Mo, Mane (if Jota comes in for Mo), Keita & Ox. Maybe Jones and even Woodburn at AM due to age and experience and our coaching staff saying he's staying (if that's not just a ruse). That's way too much competition to see a regular spot.

I want to see him stay with the squad and get used whenever possible but I don't hold out much hope he'll start often, and really he shouldn't be a regular just yet. That's next season once he's ingrained in the squad and the system.

 

[The Nomad]

I'd love him to stay and be part of the squad this season but on the flip side if he's not going to get minutes, and that's by no means a certainty given the level of competition we have, then maybe a loan til Christmas to a PL side would benefit him. I think he's ready, no doubt in terms of his ability,I just think he loses momentum if he's sat on the bench every week waiting for the Carabao cup to roll around so he can turn out in a glorified reserve side.

You can't loan to a PL side for anything less than a whole season. No break clauses either.

 

[MomoWASright]

With 9 bench players he will make the squad when fit. I then hope we start putting teams to bed early doors and get him on the pitch at the earliest opportunity.

I’d also like to see Klopp turn to him if we need a winner rather than throwing shite on like origi. That would give Elliott that huge confidence boost that can help him get to that next level.

I’m a big fan even with his stupid hair. He’s going to be amazing.

 

[Fabio]

He'll get regular minutes. He won't start many, but he'll get regular minutes. He's ready.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

Compare his stats last year to Zidane's last season in the championship with Villa ... It's insane how talented he is.

 

[Hyena]

If we were to loan him, hopefully it'll be to Saints where Armstrong has moved.

 

[JohnnyRocket]

I hope Klopp isnt overly cautious with him. Stick him on the bench every game, and keep throwing him on against tired legs, especially when we need a goal.

If he's good enough, play him. Just like we did with Owen, Gerrard and Trent.

Not doing a comparison, but by 18 Messi was a regular in the Barcelona team.

 

[Mystic]

I hope he sticks around and plays, it's been interesting how much he's played in midfield, and how well he and Salah have linked up already, it really looks like there's a connection between those two worth exploiting. Only concern is that Klopp famously likes a big and strong midfield, I like Elliot, but he's hardly big or strong.

 

[SummerOnions]

He's going to play for sure.

The only problem is that he looks like Alberto Moreno from a distance so I'm scared when I see him with the ball on the pitch

 

[JohnnyRocket]

I hope he sticks around and plays, it's been interesting how much he's played in midfield, and how well he and Salah have linked up already, it really looks like there's a connection between those two worth exploiting. Only concern is that Klopp famously likes a big and strong midfield, I like Elliot, but he's hardly big or strong.

True. But, there was one particular game last year, on the back end of the season, where Jones was almost acting like a 4th attacker. It was clear Klopp tweeked the system slightly. We could see a more conventional 4-3-3 where one midfielder is given the license to roam forward.

 

[MomoWASright]

I hope he sticks around and plays, it's been interesting how much he's played in midfield, and how well he and Salah have linked up already, it really looks like there's a connection between those two worth exploiting. Only concern is that Klopp famously likes a big and strong midfield, I like Elliot, but he's hardly big or strong.

I think there was a good click between the triangle of Trent, Elliott and Salah.

 

[keniget]

1. I don't think loaning him out (no team is going to have our players, our system) is going to help as much as training day in day out with our first team. Match days are over-rated compared to spending 5 days a week training with the calibre of player we have and with Klopp and his coaching team.

Nah, if that were true the loan system wouldn't work and people wouldn't talk so much about the reserves system lacking competitiveness.

There is no substitute for competitive matches and having to perform when it actually matters.

I think Elliot is ready for his shot based on what we've seen. I agree with RedStar though - we can't have him sat around on the bench all season waiting for the odd 15min spell. He needs game time.

 

[Mystic]

True. But, there was one particular game last year, on the back end of the season, where Jones was almost acting like a 4th attacker. It was clear Klopp tweeked the system slightly. We could see a more conventional 4-3-3 where one midfielder is given the license to roam forward.

Yep, certainly felt like that against Bilbao, at times it was like we had two right wingers on the pitch, and well I guess we did. Thats fantastic and great to watch in a preseason friendly, but it something that could leave us massively exposed against league opposition, so lets hope Klopps got the system to deal with that.

 

[JohnnyRocket]

The idea of a central winger is one that isn't spoken about enough.

The traditional number 10 is dying. Teams now rely on creativity from the entire side, but its more about speed and power in transitions. Speedy ball carriers from midfield who can be a real goal threat are the way forward.

 

[keniget]

The idea of a central winger is one that isn't spoken about enough.

The traditional number 10 is dying. Teams now rely on creativity from the entire side, but its more about speed and power in transitions. Speedy ball carriers from midfield who can be a real goal threat are the way forward.

So you want Gerrard?

 

[MomoWASright]

If we’d have had a prime Gerrard over the last few seasons we’d have been unstoppable.

 

[JohnnyRocket]

So you want Gerrard?

More like playing actual wingers in the number 10 position.Hard to pick up, quick, great with ball at feet. I suppose Gerrard fits the description, because he could do anything.

Remember when we played Sterling centrally behind Suarez and Sturridge. It was carnage.

 

[Frogfish]

Nah, if that were true the loan system wouldn't work and people wouldn't talk so much about the reserves system lacking competitiveness.

There is no substitute for competitive matches and having to perform when it actually matters.

I think Elliot is ready for his shot based on what we've seen. I agree with RedStar though - we can't have him sat around on the bench all season waiting for the odd 15min spell. He needs game time.

You're absolutely right ... when it comes to the U23s + U18s who don't have a serious league and even enough matches per year. And are training amongst themselves. The loan system is usually for those that need to prove themselves or be put in the shop window.

No comparison with working with the first team squad 5 days a week and being coached by Klopp & co. As for competitive matches ... we've all heard how Klopp insists training must be full on and as tough at a real match.

 

[Frogfish]

The idea of a central winger is one that isn't spoken about enough.

The traditional number 10 is dying. Teams now rely on creativity from the entire side, but its more about speed and power in transitions. Speedy ball carriers from midfield who can be a real goal threat are the way forward.

So Coutinho then.

 

[keniget]

You're absolutely right ... when it comes to the U23s + U18s who don't have a serious league and even enough matches per year. And are training amongst themselves. The loan system is usually for those that need to prove themselves or be put in the shop window.

No comparison with working with the first team squad 5 days a week and being coached by Klopp & co. As for competitive matches ... we've all heard how Klopp insists training must be full on and as tough at a real match.

Loads of the "kids" who play in the reserves regularly train with the first team anyways.

 

[KopRed]

I like the way he likes to try a dribble, instead of getting rid of the ball pronto whenever an opponent comes close.

I could see him becoming a Coutinho, the slight shuffle, the long shots, the intricate forward passes. Early days I know but if he could just develop in each area he could be a very useful player.

I think with a year's loan to a premiership club and he could be ready to take Milner's spot next season.

 

[DHSC]

Hope we will take the cups more seriously this year so the likes of Elliot will get more game time. Also, win the first 4 games in the CL group stages and play some of the squad players in the last 2 games.

 

[singlerider]

If (big IF) he can replicate that kind of performance week-in, week-out against prem sides (not necessarily the top ones, but mid-table and below) then I'd say he's definitely ready.

I hope he gets enough minutes in the league to show us what he's capable of

 

[Grjt2]

He has been told he has a significant part to play as a genuine squad member across all competitions this season

*obv this means he will be loaned to Grimsby 2hrs before the end of the deadline

 

[Modo]

If we’d have had a prime Gerrard over the last few seasons we’d have been unstoppable.

Prime Gerrard would have been a type of De Bruyne for us.
His shooting from outside the box would have forced defenders to try to close him down, leaving space for our other attackers to exploit.
Unstoppable is the right word.