Super-substitute Harvey Elliott targets Liverpool starring role

   

Harvey Elliott says he does not want to be known as a super-sub, with the young midfielder starting just one Premier League match this season despite being often called upon to change games by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

The 20-year-old has featured in 13 of 16 league matches this season but 12 of those have been as a substitute, one of those ending in him scoring a stoppage-time winner as Liverpool came from behind to beat Crystal Palace last Saturday.

But Elliott, who starred for England Under 21s in their European Championship triumph, said he would rather nail down a starting spot. 'I don't really want to be known as a super-sub,' he said ahead of Liverpool's dead-rubber Europa League match against Union Saint-Gilloise.

'It's a great headline! But at the same time I want to be in the team. It's time for myself to establish myself in that position again and hopefully get a good run of games. But at the same time, I need to be patient as well.

'I need to keep enjoying my football, play with a smile and if it's as a super-sub, then fine, I'll happily come on and do whatever I can for the team. I am just happy to be putting the shirt on but this season I really want to kick on my game.'

Harvey Elliott is keen to be seen as more than a super-substitute as his star continues to rise

Harvey Elliott is keen to be seen as more than a super-substitute as his star continues to rise

The 20-year-old played a key role in England's success at the Under-21 Euros and is looking for more responsibility under Jurgen Klopp

The 20-year-old played a key role in England's success at the Under-21 Euros and is looking for more responsibility under Jurgen Klopp

After coming off the bench, Elliott scored a last-gasp winner against Crystal Palace last week 

After coming off the bench, Elliott scored a last-gasp winner against Crystal Palace last week

Klopp waxed lyrical on Elliott and said: 'What we forget sometimes is that Harvey is still super young but has played an incredible amount of games already. Before his serious injury he was the best player we had available.

'It took him a while to get back up to speed again but what he showed in the last game and in other moments and for England Under 21s is all that Harvey Elliott can be. He is the future. With his skill-set he should be super influential.

'The ability to connect, the overview, the technique - he has it. Did he always bring it on the pitch when we played? No, but everyone is like that. But a player like him needs the finishes as well, the shot and the last pass. The last game was a sign of how good this boy can be.'

Elliott has been leaning on the quartet of summer signings in midfield - Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch - and says he is learning from all four of them every day.

'I see the goals those two have scored, especially Mac Allister,' added Elliott. 'It's just the confidence they bring to other players as well. You see what they do in games and in training and you think, "Oh, I want to try it", and then it comes off and instantly you're on cloud nine.

'These players are unbelievable to be around and to work with. I am happy I am in the team around them day in, day out and there are no better role models to look up to than these guys.'

Elliott has also made big contributions in matches off the bench in games against Everton, Aston Villa, Wolves and Luton and, asked if he has a special trick to make sure he is instantly ready to inject energy into Liverpool's team, he said: 'I'll be giving my trick away, to be honest!

'I think it's just about taking that time to analyse the opposition, analyse the players you're going to be playing against and maybe analyse our players as well, seeing what they're doing, the things that aren't coming off.

'The things they are doing that are coming off, you try and replicate, and maybe try something different as well. For me, it's just about being aware and focusing fully on the game and the other team especially.

'Seeing where I can exploit the spaces, positions I can pick up. Starting compared with being on the bench it kind of gives you that different view and you are able to sit back and analyse it. I don't really beat myself up over starting as much as I want to.

Klopp has waxed lyrical about his young player and described the starlet as 'the future'

Klopp has waxed lyrical about his young player and described the starlet as 'the future'