Elliott Earns Praise From Graeme Souness and Neil Warnock

Graeme Souness and Stephen Warnock have added their voices to the chorus of those gushing over Harvey Elliott’s start to the Premier League season. He has featured in all three of Liverpool’s matches thus far, playing the full 90 against both Burnley and Chelsea, and he looks primed for a breakout campaign.

Those who didn’t follow Elliott’s season on loan with Blackburn Rovers last year may not have expected him to play so well in the Premier League. Stephen Warnock, who did pay attention to the 18-year-old’s time in the Championship, told LFCTV he was not among those who were surprised.

“No, because of his form, not only for Blackburn last year but in pre-season,” said the former Liverpool defender.

“He has come back a man, he looks like he has filled out, he looks hungry and I think we always knew that anyway about him.”

Former Liverpool captain and manager Graeme Souness is also very impressed by the young midfielder and believes he has all the tools to be a star if he can stay healthy and hungry.

“He has a football nous that you normally get in your mid-20s onwards as a midfield player, and he’s destined to be a star with a couple of caveats,” said Souness.

“If he is prepared to turn up every day and learn and want to get better - and when I say every day, until the day he stops playing football for Liverpool or at any other club - and if he avoids injury. He looks to have absolutely everything.”

While Elliott’s physical and technical skills are clear, Warnock raved about his vision and mentality as well.

“What I like about him in terms of his passing, he is always looking forward and he is always thinking how I can hurt the opposition. He travels with the ball, he looks comfortable with the ball at his feet and I always say about him, he has arrogance but it is a good arrogance. There is a real trust in himself that he is capable of breaking into this Liverpool team and holding his own.”

In a similar vein, Sousness pointed out that while having the tools is important, being able to handle the pressure of playing for a club with Liverpool’s aspirations is a challenge in itself, but Elliott looks to be up to the task so far.

“He can move the ball quicker than maybe you thought he could; he can think quicker than maybe you thought he could.

“In training, you’ll go ‘yeah, he’s ready’, but the only question mark you have after that is, ‘how will he deal playing at Anfield or another big football club and the pressure of having to win every single game you play?’

“He looks to be handling that without any issues whatsoever. He’s destined to be a top player.”