Jurgen Klopp was mighty impressed by Harvey Elliott’s cameo against Lyon last night.
The 16-year-old, who we remind you isn’t 17 until April next year, came on and looked totally at ease among the senior professional footballers around him.
He didn’t do anything jaw-dropping, but he’s just incredibly tidy, has fantastic technique and a swagger about him that means he wants the ball at all times.
There’s definitely comparisons to be made to Manchester City’s Phil Foden, for example.
“That’s what pre-season is about as well, to increase their confidence because we knew they are good but they have to adapt to different things,” Klopp told LFCTV, cited in the Standard.
“You can see [in] each of them the unbelievable talent sleeping inside, it’s really nice. Being this age, you cannot be as experienced as the others but you can be more cheeky than the others.
“You saw that in a few moments, especially from Harvey, he’s obviously not bothered who runs around him.”
Elliott is going to have a difficult week now, following a video that surfaced of him mocking Harry Kane. He’s done the right thing and apologised – but being thrust into the national spotlight for a negative reason is going to be a tough lesson to learn about what’s expected conduct-wise of a professional footballer – even though he’s still a kid.
But with his talent, that’s the price he’ll have to pay if he’s to get minutes this season at Liverpool.
We actually don’t think it’s out of the question, and considering Curtis Jones has been sent back to the U23s and Ben Woodburn on loan – he’s next in line from the Academy when it comes to midfield opportunities.