“An opportunity”: Former PL ace hopes LFC youngster can kick on after injury setback

Alan Hutton hopes Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott can get back to his best after injury setback

Harvey Elliott looked to be on the verge of his breakout season at Liverpool in 2021/22 before injury cut it short. Former Premier League star Alan Hutton described the unfortunate incident as a “real shame” since the youngster was performing at a high-level last season before being sidelined.

The 19-year-old dislocated his ankle against Leeds in the Premier League at the start of the season. Since then, the Englishman has come back to the side but hasn’t featured much for Jurgen Klopp’s team.

Speaking to Football Insider (h/t Liverpool Echo), former Aston Villa right back Hutton heaped praise on the youngster for how well he performed on the pitch at the initial stages of the previous campaign.

“For one so young, playing at such a big club, and all that pressure that was on him he just took it in his stride. It was a real shame the injury came at that moment in time because he was really flourishing within that team like a regular.”

Elliott signed for the Reds in 2019. Liverpool were able to fend off the biggest sides in world football to secure the youngster’s signature. At 16, the youngster made his debut for the Merseyside club.

The 19-year-old spent the 2020/21 season on loan at Blackburn Rovers. The youngster performed exceptionally well for the Blue and Whites in the Championship. Elliott scored seven goals and provided 12 assists for them in 42 appearances.

The 19-year-old started the previous season in Merseyside, mainly playing in the midfield. Hutton hopes the youngster can put the injury troubles behind him and focus on the upcoming campaign.

“He’s got over it now, hopefully, he can get back to his best as soon as possible but I would like to see him kick on this season. I think there’s an opportunity.”

Liverpool’s midfield currently has a lot of stalwarts. Thiago Alcantara has shown his class in England after conquering the biggest stages in world football with Bayern Munich.

Fabinho is the pivot in the side, helping the defence and sweeping up threats. The Brazilian also links the midfield with the attack. Jordan Henderson has usually partnered with the two in the middle of the park.

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But fans feel our ageing midfield is in need of new blood. Elliott is a young and talented prospect on our books. The hope is the 19-year-old can fulfil his potential and become one of the mainstays at the club for years to come.