“Getting to the top is the easy part – staying there is the hard part”. Do you know which philosopher said that? That’s right, Dolly Parton.
Obviously she did not do right and it is a quote attributed to thousands of people over the years, but it still rings.
Liverpool discovered that it cost last season because they were immediately beaten by their perch as champions of England, and Jurgen Klopp is now in the process of strengthening his squad before the Reds look to make another title challenge.
With his defense strengthened after returning to fitness with Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez – not to mention the arrival of Ibrahima Konate – the Liverpool manager’s attention has now turned to his midfield and forward.
Wearing the ever-productive Mohamed Salah, Klopp’s front line, was the real Achilles’ heel in his side’s difficult title defense, with Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino as a total of almost half the Premier League goal they managed in the Red’s triumphant 2019/20 campaign.
The effects of Diogo Jota after his arrival in September only served to underline Klopp’s need for further attacking options, and the Portugal international contributed nine league goals despite a lengthy spelling on the side.
Jota’s goal gave the Reds another seven points during the 2020/21 Premier League season – but they would be in next season’s Europa Conference League – so it’s no surprise to see Klopp once again try to add to his attacking arsenal.
Harvey Elliott can enjoy a breakthrough campaign with Liverpool next season / James Williamson – AMA / Getty Images
Names like Adama Traore, Federico Chiesa, Pedro Neto and Jarrod Bowen have all been hailed as possible targets, but with Liverpool wanting to work on a tight budget and the aforementioned players likely to cost eye-catching sums, the answer to Klopp’s dilemma may be just below the nose?
Harvey Elliott has been tipped as a future star for a number of years now, even though he is still only 18 years old. But after making nine older appearances up to this point last year, such an assessment seemed a little too early to say the least.
Since then, the teenager has been sent out on loan to Championship side Blackburn Rovers, where he became a key member of Tony Mowbray’s starting XI. The youth thrived under the management of the former Middlesbrough boss and it would not be for his seven goals and 11 assists who know how much closer the Rovers case could have ended.
Given that he was only 17 when he secured a temporary move to the Lancashire club, there were, of course, doubts about the move, and some speculated that he would be chewed up and spat out by the toughness of a demanding 46-game season – but it was the opposite.
Jurgen Klopp wants to strengthen his group this summer / Sebastian Frej / MB Media / Getty Images
Elliott stood up to be counted when his side needed him, and as we already hinted that Mowbray’s side could have been in a world of trouble if it were not for the gifted teenager’s efforts.
Elliott’s quality and courage to get on the ball and make things happen could never be questioned, although his discipline is part of his game that must be trained if he is to make waves in Klopp’s first team.
At Blackburn, the winger basically got the freedom on the pitch and was told that things would happen, and it is this lack of form and discipline that ultimately costs Rovers a shot at promotion – they actually scored more goals than the promoted side Watford.
Harvey Elliott has not yet had a chance at Liverpool / Pool / Getty Images
If Elliott is to do that at Anfield, he will have to show more maturity in his game and will have to work in the Liverpool system, but that is far from criticism, it is simply a nod to a change in style that he has to adapt to if he should impress on his return to the club.
Elliott’s ability to pick up the ball in the wide areas and drive towards players is something we have seen on countless occasions in recent years from similar Mane and Salah, while he also has an eye for goal and seems to make his way into the box when it is possible – something that all Liverpool strikers need in their locker.
The player himself thinks he is ready. In a 90-minute interview in May, Elliott said: “I feel more than ready. To go out this season, get minutes and know that I can stay healthy and well. I think if I can do it now I can do it every season.
“My main goal is to get into the team. Then either, to maintain my place on the team or, if I’m on the bench, then to be the “go-to” person they are looking at to get on and change the game.
“I’m surprised there’s no noise complaint yet!” ? @ LFC midfielder Harvey Elliott spoke to @Andy_Headspeath about Alisson’s last minute winner and what it would have meant for him and the players. # LFC | @NBFootball pic.twitter.com/ANkxClK1np
– 90min (@ 90min_Football) 18 May 2021
“I just want to influence the team, create and score goals and work hard.”
Some may say that it’s a little early to talk about the youngster who breaks through in Liverpool, but Klopp has never shaken off playing a player he thinks he can develop and there is no reason to believe he will not. same with Elliott.
Speaking about what Klopp said to him when he went on loan, Elliott added: “He said ‘Look, go out and show everyone who you are.’ Go and get those minutes. Everyone will support you 100%.
“He said, ‘Just go and play your way.’ Go and express yourself. “It made me feel better. Not because I was worried or afraid to lend, but it was just a thought of what would happen when I returned to Liverpool.
“He said, ‘This will set your future up.’ Come back, work extra hard and show me you’re ready. ‘”
