Harvey Elliott praised for Liverpool performance as he prepares for Anfield debut

Big day | Teenager is expected to make his Anfield debut against Man City U23s this weekend
Liverpool FC via Getty Images
David Lynch27 August 2019

Liverpool summer signing Harvey Elliott has been lavished with praise as he prepares for a likely Anfield debut this weekend.

The 16-year-old, who completed a move to Merseyside from Fulham last month, has kicked his Reds career off with a number of appearances for the club's U23s team.

His latest outing came on Monday as Liverpool's youngsters earned a 4-2 away win over Southampton, ending a three-match losing streak just in time for an Anfield clash with Manchester City this Saturday.

And Elliott's contributions to the victory did not go unnoticed by boss Neil Critchley, who is likely to call on the teenager once again when his players run out at the club's first-team home.

"I thought Harvey [and] his general play all night was excellent," Critchley told the club's official website.

"He was a real thorn in their side and he showed really intelligence with his movement running in behind them.

"I thought his work-rate off the ball as well and his attitude to work for the team was fantastic."

In Pictures | Harvey Elliott's Liverpool debut | 28/07/2019

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Critchley also picked out Elliott's link-up play with Rhian Brewster and Curtis Jones - both of whom got on the scoresheet - as a notable highlight of the performance.

He added: "I thought they caused a lot of problems with their movement, pace and energy.

"It was lovely for Rhian to get his first goal, he’s off the mark, Curtis got a goal too, a little bit of fortune but he made a lovely run in behind.

I was really impressed with him. I was really pleased with their contribution and hopefully they can take confidence from that moving forward."

Should he be selected, Saturday's game at Anfield will represent a special moment for boyhood Liverpool fan Elliott.

On the opportunity to play at the famous stadium, Critchley said: "When you get the chance to play at Anfield it’s always a fantastic occasion. That’s where our players want to be playing and in bigger meaningful games in the future.

"We can go there with a win under our belts and we know it will be a tough game against really good opposition.

"They have got some good players and we need to improve again with our performance, but hopefully we can go to Anfield and play with the ball like we did tonight.

"We just need to improve defensively particularly when the opposition get a bit of momentum in the game."

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