It’s an exciting time for Liverpool under new manager Arne Slot as the Reds close out a strong preseason ahead of a new Premier League season. While replacing Jurgen Klopp will be a tough job, it’s a time that gives members of the team a chance to make a quick impression under the new boss and one who is doing so is young midfielder Harvey Elliott.
Playing as a No. 10 so far under Slot in preseason preparation, the 21-year-old could be a large part of the Liverpool setup heading into the new season. Entering his third season of full first-team soccer with the Reds, Elliott can build off of a strong end of the 2023-24 season that saw him collect three goals and six assists while driving the attack.
Elliott has already shown his perseverance during his career recovering from a serious dislocated ankle which derailed his 2021 season but as the young midfielder puts more minutes under his belt, his talent to lead the Reds is showing through. In a season where a goalkeeper could be Slot’s first signing at Liverpool, progression from his young players is even more important to continue the team’s trajectory.
Under Klopp, Elliott was mainly involved on the left side of the midfield so a move to central locations will help raise his creative involvement while pacing the side.
“I think it excites everyone,” Elliott said during the preseason about the midfield being the heartbeat of a Slot soccer team. “The style, the players are all different. It’s more about in possession now and the players are really excited. There’s certain patterns and the way we play, it’s got a good buzz around the team and they’re excited to try and apply it in games.”
Being excited about the soccer that you play goes a long way in a team’s performance, especially as a young player and it’s clear that Liverpool are buzzing ahead of the new season. They’re back in the Champions League with a stable squad and people are learning their roles under Slot. There is also the added benefit for young players — this preseason is an important one because people who took part in the Euros, Copa America, and the Olympics are getting their training started later so there’s an opportunity to make an impression with the first team that may not have been available normally.
Elliott is a player who’s benefited from that himself with Alexis Mac Allister needing an extended break after helping Argentina lift the Copa America title, and he has run with it. One place where Elliott also excels is helping out those young players who are getting these opportunities as he’s not far removed from the academy himself.
“He’ll help these young players coming through the academy now because he’s been there before, he knows how it is and he’ll help these young players to settle in,” former Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva said about Elliott. “I’m really looking forward [to seeing Elliott]. We just hope that he keeps healthy, he had a bad injury but now it seems that he is full of confidence and he will play a big part this season for sure.”
Despite his age, Eliott could make his 100th Premier League appearance this season which only shows his importance to the Reds. He ended last season with a run of five starts in Liverpool’s final six matches, scoring one goal and assisting four more. That’s the Elliott that Slot will want to see out of the gate this season and if he gets that, who knows, the Reds may be able to push Manchester City for the title.
