3 days ago
19 
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
The Liverpool midfielder impressed early under Arne Slot before seeing a broken foot sideline him for three months.
Liverpool have seen standout performances across the pitch over the opening half of the 2024-25 season. Established stars like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk have burned even brighter, while others like Ryan Gravenberch, Ibrahima Konaté, and Luis Diaz have made huge strides forward.
One player most Liverpool supporters were excited to see progress was young starlet Harvey Elliott. The midfielder impressed during the second half of last season, and was a standout during preseason under Arne Slot. Unfortunately for Elliott, a broken foot suffered during the first international window of the season derailed his chance for an early impact. The 21 year old missed 14 matches before returning in late November.
After appearing as a substitute for the last 16 minutes plus extra time in the 5-0 drubbing of West Ham on Sunday, Elliott spoke about the injury he calls a ‘fluke’. Elliott is glad to be back after the extended layoff, but he knows it will take time to get back to full sharpness.
“It was annoying but at the same time these things happen in football. It was just a fluke injury. I didn’t really think anything of it at the start but it just got worse. But like my other big injury [a broken and dislocated ankle at Leeds United in 2021], it’s in the past now. I’ve just got to look forward and try and help the team. The team are doing very well in my absence and it’s hard to come straight back from injury, it’s going to take time.”
With Liverpool in blazing hot form Arne Slot has been able to slowly reintroduce Elliott to match play as he regains his fitness and sharpness, using the midfielder as a late substitute in six Premier League and Champions League matches along with a full match against Southampton in the EFL Cup. Elliott recognizes that patience is a virtue at the moment, knowing that there will be plenty of chances to contribute as the club enter the second half of the season competing on four fronts.
“As I said the team were doing amazing, the way they were playing and the results they were getting was really good. I knew that within myself and it’s about me staying patient and waiting for my turn.”
“I feel fine. I got through the Southampton game, played 90 minutes and felt very comfortable. It’s just about trying to find minutes where I can now, and building up myself. And more importantly trying to help the team, I take that responsibility upon myself because of the type of player I am. I want to help my team whenever I can.”
