The stage is set for 'amazing' Liverpool youngster to become a key player for Arne Slot by Christmas - opinion

11/12/2024 03:00 PM

Plenty at Liverpool will be frustrated at the timing of yet another international break this November.

Having won six out of seven fixtures since the October internationals, the Reds are rampant across all competitions at the moment.

Nevertheless, there may be one or two who are pleased to see the break in action for a couple of weeks.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has pulled out of the England squad, for example, but the pause in play could see the right-back return to fitness by the time Liverpool take on Southampton.

And Trent is not the only injured member of the Liverpool squad who will be grateful for the extra time to get fit and contribute the Arne Slot machine.

Having made only one competitive, substitute appearance for the Reds under Slot, Harvey Elliott must be desperate to come back to fitness. Luckily for the Liverpool youngster, he looks set for a big chance in the coming weeks.

Harvey Elliott poised for return

Elliott’s comeback from injury has taken longer than anyone expected. The 21-year-old was initially set to be fit again by the end of October.

Two weeks since that date passed, Elliott is finally showing signs that he could soon be available for Slot.

On Monday, the midfielder was pictured at the Liverpool training ground as he completed a session with the U21 squad.

And with Dominik Szoboszlai failing to nail down a spot as Liverpool’s most advanced midfielder, Elliott has the chance to make a big impact once he finally gets back.

READ MORE: Alisson Becker hints at promising injury update for Liverpool

Szoboszlai and Elliott were the two players Slot earmarked during pre-season as his options for Liverpool’s ‘No.10’ on the pitch.

Although Harvey did well over the summer, it was always clear that Szoboszlai would be the more regular starter of the two.

However, the Hungarian has failed to really ignite this season. Curtis Jones has made some impact when Szoboszlai has been rested but the Scouser is clearly preferred in a deeper role. As a reuslt, once Elliott is back, there is a spot in the side up for grabs.

Harvey Elliott will grasp Liverpool opportunity

Had Elliott been fit up until this point of the season, you could easily see how he would have made an impact.

Always full of running, heart and quality on the ball, the former Fulham prospect is a dream for any manager to work with.

Alexis Mac Allister described Elliott as being ‘amazing‘ and the lift Liverpool will get from having him back available should not be underestimated.

During last season especially, Elliott became known as something of a ‘super sub’ for the Reds. Now 21, though, he has the experience, know-how – and with Szoboszlai struggling – pathway to being more of a starter.

With such a lot of fixtures coming up as the festive season kicks into gear, Elliott’s timing couldn’t be better. If he can show plenty of what he always has at Liverpool, he could well seal his place in Slot’s best XI by Christmas.