TalkSport pundit Perry Groves has taken a measured approach when it comes to the future of Liverpool youngster Harvey Elliott.
The 18-year-old made his first Premier League start at the weekend as Liverpool made it two wins from two by beating Burnley 2-0 at Anfield, with Elliott putting in a pretty impressive performance in central midfield as he completed 83% of his passes whilst also making three key passes (via WhoScored).
But whilst it might have been a good display, speaking about his performance on TalkSport, Groves didn’t think that he would be a solution for Liverpool consistently going forward because he doesn’t think he will be a regular in the first team:
“He’ll be in and out – Harvey Elliott isn’t their answer. He’ll be in and out, he’ll get his game time. I still think Liverpool need a creative midfield player like a 10, because they’re going to come against teams who sit back, at Anfield especially, you’ve got to break them down.
“He’s a massive bonus for them and an addition to their squad, but saying ‘he’s their new signing’, Harvey Elliott isn’t the answer to Liverpool’s problems, he’s just a very, very exciting young player.”
TIF Thoughts on Perry Groves’ comments about Harvey Elliott…
Will this be Harvey Elliott's breakthrough season at Liverpool?
Yes
No
In our view, Groves is right in his assessment, because having a good performance against Burnley – who aren’t exactly world-beaters within the Premier League – is one thing, but to be able to do that consistently and against much better opposition is a different task altogether, so we shouldn’t be jumping the gun and proclaiming him to be the next big thing.
And given the number of players that Liverpool have in his position, both in the middle of midfield, where he played against Burnley, and his more natural position out on the wing, it’s certainly not a guarantee that he will be playing regularly for the club moving forward as Jürgen Klopp balances his squad out across four competitions.
Playing at a higher level than he did in the Championship last season such as the Premier League and potentially the Champions League will certainly help his development moving forward, but it’s probably next season that will be the time he needs to start looking towards becoming a regular in the side rather than right now.
In other news: ‘They should be concerned’ – TalkSport pundit drops contract claim about Liverpool ace