Elliott To Leave Liverpool? “He’s hardly being used at all, it’s a fair question to ask” | OneFootball

Harvey Elliott: The Quiet Dilemma Facing Liverpool

In the latest episode of the Anfield Index’s Post Conference Presser podcast, Dave Davis dove deep into Liverpool’s squad dynamics. A prominent focus of their discussion was Harvey Elliott, a player whose role and future at the club remain uncertain under Arne Slot’s management.

Let’s dissect what Davis said about Elliott and what it means for the 20-year-old’s place in Liverpool’s plans.

Photo: IMAGO

Harvey Elliott’s Game Time: Growing Concern

Dave Davis didn’t shy away from pointing out the limited opportunities that Harvey Elliott has had this season. He highlighted that Elliott has been largely overlooked, even in matches that would have been ideal for squad rotation. “Look at the facts about the minutes of the last five or six league games that we’ve played,” Davis said, clearly concerned.

Elliott’s lack of game time is especially surprising, given his previous role as a regular substitute. “Harvey Elliott was the number 12, the super sub almost last season, wasn’t he?” Davis recalled. Yet, this season, he’s fallen behind in the pecking order.

Is Arne Slot Sold on Elliott?

Davis raised a critical point about Arne Slot’s apparent reluctance to rely on Elliott. “I’m not personally convinced Arne Slot massively fancies Harvey Elliott,” he noted. This sentiment reflects a broader concern among fans that Elliott’s talent isn’t being fully utilised.

Slot, during press conferences, has praised Elliott’s potential but has often emphasised the intense competition within the squad. According to the podcast, Slot said: “He’s in competition with many other good players… It’s not easy to come back and be at your best immediately.”

Davis interpreted this as a cautious approach from Slot, who doesn’t seem to be fully convinced that Elliott is ready to handle the intensity and demands of Liverpool’s current setup.

Comparing Elliott to Other Squad Members

One of the more telling observations made by Davis was the comparison between Elliott and other Liverpool midfielders. He pointed out that Curtis Jones, despite a string of underwhelming performances, has consistently been given more minutes.

“Curtis Jones, who is a brilliant player by the way, but hasn’t had the best few games, is still staying on the pitch quite often ahead of Harvey Elliott,” Davis remarked. This comparison underscores the apparent disconnect between Elliott’s potential and his actual usage in the squad.

Downey echoed these sentiments, adding that Darwin Núñez has also been preferred as a substitute over Elliott, even in situations where Elliott’s creativity could have been an asset.

The Injury Factor

Elliott’s injury history was also discussed as a possible factor behind his limited appearances. Slot mentioned: “He got injured and was out for a long time… You’re seeing this with other players who’ve been out for five, six, seven weeks.”

While acknowledging the challenge of returning to peak performance after injury, Davis remained sceptical that this fully explains Elliott’s marginal role. He suggested that Liverpool’s midfield overhaul and the influx of new signings might be pushing Elliott further down the pecking order.

What’s Next for Elliott?

Despite the current uncertainty, Davis remains hopeful that Elliott will be given more chances to prove his worth. They speculated that the upcoming FA Cup match could provide an opportunity for Elliott to showcase his abilities.

Davis predicted: “I think Harvey Elliott will be quite determined if he plays, to send a message.” The podcast hosts agreed that Elliott’s hunger and determination could be key to regaining his place in the squad.

Crucial Period for Harvey Elliott

Harvey Elliott finds himself at a crossroads in his Liverpool career. As Davis highlighted, his talent is undeniable, but his role in Arne Slot’s system remains unclear. With Liverpool competing on multiple fronts, Elliott must seize every opportunity to remind everyone – including Slot – why he was once considered one of the club’s brightest prospects.

As Davis put it, “We’d just like to see him getting minutes, look at him as a viable option.”

For now, Liverpool fans will be watching closely to see if Elliott can rise to the challenge and reclaim his spot as a key player for the Reds.