Harvey Elliott could be set for shock Liverpool transfer exit with Brighton and Dortmund both tracking star
HARVEY ELLIOTT could be on his way out of Liverpool – in what would be one of the shock transfers of the January window.
Brighton and Dortmund are both tracking the 21-year-old whose future under Arne Slot appears to be under question.
Harvey Elliott could be set for a surprise Liverpool exit this January[/caption]
The 21-year-old has struggled to break back into the first team this season[/caption]
Elliott fractured his foot earlier this season and has started just one game, managing just 43 minutes of Prem football.
But eyebrows have been raised by his lack of game-time since returning to training in late November.
The 21-year-old was an unused sub during Thursday’s Carabao Cup loss at Spurs, heightening speculation he could leave.
Brighton are leading the way in signing the cultured midfielder who is hugely popular among Reds’ fans.
German giants Dortmund would also be interested in Elliott who Liverpool value at around £35million to £40million.
There has been surprise among the Liverpool fanbase that Elliott – who made 53 appearances last season under Jurgen Klopp – has not been afforded more minutes in recent weeks.
It has now led to suggestions that a transfer exit is a distinct possibility.
Speaking about Elliott in November, Slot said: “We always want all of our players available and it was a blow for him and for us that he got injured for such a long time.
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“I think he’s been out for three months now. Now we also have to give him time to come back to his normal level.
“I recently spoke about Ibou Konate who was out from playing football for maybe two, three or four months, because he didn’t play at the end of the season and didn’t play at the Euros.
“As a result of that his first game against Man United in pre-season wasn’t his best.
“That is something which is completely normal for a football player and this is something we have to take into consideration with Harvey as well.
“Yes, he’s training with us again, but that’s different from being on the top of your game immediately again. We have to give him time for this as well.
Liverpool ratings vs Chelsea
By Ken Lawrence
LIVERPOOL picked up a big 2-1 victory over Chelsea at Anfield to remain top of the Premier League.
The Reds registered their first victory against a team currently occupying the top half of the Prem table.
That was a major statement for the Merseysiders’ manager Arne Slot, whose team now stands a point ahead of Manchester City and four away from third-placed Arsenal at the top.
Mohamed Salah opened the scoring a minute before the half-hourmark from the penalty spot.
But Chelsea hit back just three minutes into the second half with Nicolas Jackson.
However, Liverpool picked up the three points thanks to Curtis Jones’ winner just three minutes later.
But how did each Liverpool star far? Check out Ken Lawrence’s player ratings below for more:
CAOIMHIN KELLEHER – 5
For the Kop – and no doubt secretly for boss Arne Slot – still surely lacking a top keeper’s presence.
TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD – 5
Didn’t look entirely comfortable throughout especially in the face of Malo Gusto’s first-half raids.
IBRAHIMA KONATE – 5
Caught napping by Nicolas Jackson’s run three minutes into the second half for Chelsea’s equaliser.
VIRGIL VAN DIJK – 7
He has his assassins back home in the Netherlands but again showed imperious defensive abilities.
ANDY ROBERTSON – 6
The Scotland captain is often praised more for his attacking qualities than his defensive ones, but goodness me – what a brilliant last-second block.
RYAN GRAVENBERCH – 7
Only played 12 games in Jurgen Klopp’s final season but showed again why he’s now an automatic choice for Slot.
CURTIS JONES – 9
Outstanding all over the pitch, won one pen when it should have been two, plus grabbed a poacher’s winner.
DOMINIK SZOBOSZLAI– 5
Again suggested he flatters to deceive, too often playing at a slower tempo than those around him.
MOHAMED SALAH – 7
What’s left to say about Anfield’s Egyptian king and his ultimate cool shot from the spot?
DIOGO JOTA – 4
Forced off after playing in pain after Tosin Adarabioyo hauled him to the deck early on.
CODY GAKPO – 5
Flitted in and out of the action, the Dutch wide man didn’t look that shocked to be replaced.
SUBS
DARWIN NUNEZ (for Jota 30) – 5
Still a work in progress, says Slot – but working much harder off the ball.
LUIS DIAZ (for Gakpo 65) – 5
Ever-willing to shows that feisty left-sided pace of his.
ALEXIS MAC ALLISTER ( for Curtis Jones 81) 5
Ill in midweek but as the Argentine always does, got stuck in.
JOE GOMEZ (for Trent Alexander-Arnold 81) – 5
A few welcome minutes for the defender now down the pecking order.
“But I’m very fortunate that he’s back, especially with the amount of games that are coming up in the coming two, three or four months.”
Elliott arrived on Merseyside as a fresh-faced 16-year-old in 2019.
He rose through the academy at Fulham and at the time of his debut for the Cottagers was the youngest Prem player ever.
Liverpool shelled out £4.3 million to bring the youngster to Anfield following a tribunal.
He has since played 128 times for the Reds, scoring 11 goals.
