Harvey Elliott on playing in midfield, competing at LFC and more

The No.67 arrived at Liverpool as a versatile attacker capable of playing across the front line and, after a productive season on loan with Blackburn Rovers in the Championship, is currently being deployed in a role in Jürgen Klopp’s central three.

Elliott made his first Premier League start for the Reds alongside Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita in midfield at the weekend and earned plaudits for the maturity of his display.

Having missed out on an assist as Mohamed Salah’s effort was disallowed earlier in the contest, Elliott was then instrumental in the sweeping move that saw Sadio Mane seal a 2-0 win at Anfield.

“I think it’s what players need in their game, being able to adapt to different positions,” he said during a conversation with Dan Thomas, his former coach at the Fulham academy, for BT Sport and The Athletic.

“And I think for me personally, it sort of gives me more of a chance of getting into the team if needed. But obviously it’s hard to adapt; it’s different positioning from, for example, when they’re playing out from the back or when we’re playing out from the back.

“It’s just getting your head around where you need to be, how you need to press, where you need to press. Sort of fix yourself and know who your players are you’re needing to deal with.

“It’s enjoyable to play somewhere else, it’s also nice because you get the ball a lot. I say this a lot: it’s just wherever I’m told to play, I’m more than happy to play. It’s just going out and enjoying football and just wanting to play, I think that’s all that matters.”

Boyhood Red Elliott linked up with the club in July 2019 and was involved in eight senior matches during his debut campaign on Merseyside.

Following that temporary spell with Blackburn, where he chalked up seven goals and 11 assists in the Championship, he returned to Liverpool this summer and signed a new long-term contract.

• 'Harvey Elliott earned his chance - and he took it'

Elliott’s initial awe for his teammates’ status has not fully dissipated, but he equally understands that he cannot afford to be overawed if he is to establish himself further.

The 18-year-old said: “The first couple of training sessions when I first arrived, it was a bit like, ‘What? I’m training with these?’ Just seeing them in person, going from seeing them and watching them live on TV, then to actually being next to them, you don’t realise how big they are and what sort of presence they bring.

“Now, I just look at it as they’re my competition. I can’t really look at them as world-class players, even though they are, but we’re all in it to fight for one position: that’s to be in the team.

“Training with them and learning off them is one thing, but I think it’s another to challenge them to get into the team.”

Elliott added: “I’m enjoying it more than ever. To be privileged enough to be at a team like Liverpool and play with the players I’m playing with, it’s all a learning curve and something I’m just grateful for. Hopefully I’ll be able to play more in the future.”