Latest Liverpool news: Critchley highlights how Van den Berg and Elliott are improving at Liverpool

Liverpool didn’t make any major outfield signings this summer and only brought in Sepp van den Berg and Harvey Elliott.

The pair featured in our pre-season games but haven’t played for the first-team yet. They did get a taste of Anfield when our U23s lost to Manchester City 4-1, however, Neil Critchley provided an update on how they were doing.

The U23s boss told the Liverpool Echo

that Sepp was a “calming influence” in the team, but wanted the Dutch centre-back to communicate more:

“He has an assurance about his play and gives off an air of calmness at the back.

“Being vocal is something he can improve upon but I think that will come with the familiarity of being around the group and the players a little bit more – he’s new to the group but he will gain more confidence to do that.”

Elliott learning new role

The Fulham youngster is another quality talent but Critchley claimed that Elliott needed time to learn his new position in the team.

The English winger was lauded for his intelligence, and the manager claimed that Elliott has been a positive aspect in our last two clashes:

“He’s learning how to play the position – which is maybe slightly different to what he’s been asked to do before – but he’s very intelligent and picks things up quickly.

“I thought his attitude and work ethic in the game, especially when we were losing, was really good – he never gives up and gives everything he’s got.”

The pair still needs to feature more for the reserve side before thinking of breaking into the senior team.

There is a lot of competition for places in the first-team, with the likes of Rhian Brewster and Ki-Jana Hoever waiting in the wings too.

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Liverpool have several quality youngsters coming through the system, and that is a huge boost for the future of the club.