By Sam McGuire
The 22-year-old was a agency favorite of former Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp. After coming back from a mortgage spell with Blackburn Rovers in the course of the 2020/21 marketing campaign, Elliott was a part of the beginning XI because the 2021/22 season kicked off. Deployed because the right-sided No. 8, he struck up fairly the connection with Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold earlier than struggling an ankle dislocation in opposition to Leeds United.
He returned in February and Klopp managed his minutes, beginning him simply as soon as for the rest of the season within the Premier League. The next season, the previous Fulham synthetic 18 begins within the English top-flight, racking up close to 1,700 minutes. He was very a lot a part of the first-team image. Throughout the 2023/24 season, the versatile attacker appeared in 34 Premier League matches, chipping in with three targets and 6 assists.
The arrival of Arne Slot was supposed to assist Elliott kick on. The Dutchman favoured a extra possession-based fashion and that, in idea, ought to’ve favoured Liverpool’s No. 19. A damaged foot disrupted his season however even after returning to the fold in November, Elliott struggled for minutes. He was barely used because the Reds gained the Premier League title, making simply two begins and ending the marketing campaign with simply 360 minutes to his title within the English top-flight.
Elliott isn’t bodily sufficient to copy what Dominik Szoboszlai does for Liverpool and he’s not fast sufficient to supply ample cowl for Mohamed Salah because the right-sided attacker (who’s?). The 22-year-old has fallen additional down the pecking order this summer time with the arrivals of Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong coupled with the emergence of Rio Ngumoha.
Elliott is now homeless on this group.
That’s the reason, regardless of his many abilities, he’s presently in limbo.
In the correct surroundings, he’s good. He showcased that on the Beneath-21 European Championships this summer time. He claimed the Participant of the Match having had a key function in England retaining their crown. The highly-sought after attacker scored 5 targets and actually dominated a star-studded competitors.
His performances solely elevated the curiosity in him.
Brighton need him. Fulham are seemingly eager on a reunion. Spurs are actually being linked with him having missed out on Morgan Gibbs-White. There’s curiosity from international groups too, with RB Leipzig seemingly earmarking him as a alternative for Xavi Simons.
Liverpool must be doing all the things they will to retain Elliott. However there’s an openness to let him depart. It seems like a case of proper participant, mistaken time. And he’s properly conscious of this.
“Look, if I had it my means, I’d be right here for the remainder of my profession, it’s so simple as that, I like all the things in regards to the membership,” Elliott instructed The Anfield Wrap in Hong Kong.
“However on the identical time I sort of must be egocentric with myself and see what’s greatest for me. I’ve massive ambitions. I wish to go to the World Cup. I wish to preserve being profitable as a participant. ‘I feel it’s nonetheless one thing I have to evaluate. I have to have a chat with everybody, actually and evaluate the state of affairs as a result of we’ve had many new gamers are available in, so whether or not it blocks the trail for me I’m unsure, it’s one thing I have to resolve and take a look at.
“My most important focus is right here now. In the intervening time I’m right here for the season, so far as I’m conscious, until if something adjustments, now we have a busy pre-season, it’s continuous, I want to verify I’m deal with that and simply be prepared for all the things.”
Elliott scored 5 targets in England’s triumph on the U21 Euros
Elliott has aspirations of taking part in on the 2026 World Cup for England. That will be the subsequent step having dominated at U21 stage. Nevertheless, he’s not going to interrupt into Thomas Tuchel’s considering as a bit-part participant at Liverpool.
It seems to be the proper storm for a sale. In earlier years, Elliott might have been priced out of a transfer. He’s younger, homegrown and versatile. Noni Madueke went for £52million this summer time, but Liverpool, reportedly, solely need £40million for his or her No. 19.
Why? Properly, they probably wish to increase funds to bankroll a British document bid for Alexander Isak. Elliott could also be a utility participant for the Reds, the type that gives a number of worth for a group, however it’s obvious that Slot, for no matter purpose, simply doesn’t actually charge him. So why preserve him round when you possibly can financial institution massive cash for a squad participant?
If he strikes for that type of cash, he has the potential to be one of many bargains of the summer time. It isn’t typically you see a participant of his expertise and profile – homegrown, left-footed, skilled and a winner, in the marketplace. In a grossly inflated market, if Elliott strikes for sub-£50million, the shopping for membership are getting an unbelievable deal.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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