Harvey Elliott has reflected on his experience playing for Liverpool in the Champions League this season.
The 18-year-old sat down with BBC Sport to look back on his recovery from injury and playing at the San Siro for Liverpool.
“It was a crazy experience,” said Elliott on starting The Reds last-16 first-leg game against Inter Milan.
“Playing at San Siro is one thing, and to start a Champions League game, to play, and the boys getting the win topped it off really. It’s a moment that me and my family will remember.”
Jurgen Klopp surprised everyone by starting Elliott as Liverpool beat Inter 2-0 in Italy. The teenager played an hour before being replaced by Jordan Henderson.
Although he struggled a little to find his feet in the game, it was clearly a brilliant experience for Elliott. In starting the match he became the youngest Liverpool player ever to make the line-up in the competition.
It may have been his first Champions League start for Liverpool, but it looks impossible that it’ll be his last.
Elliott plays his part
It’s great to have Elliott providing another option in the squad for Klopp.
He is yet to start another game since his outing at San Siro in February. But he did come on to play 40 minutes as the Carabao Cup final went to penalties.
Elliott stepped up in the shootout to send Kepa the wrong way and collect a first meaningful winners medal with The Reds.
Klopp also turned to Elliott when Curtis Jones was forced off at half-time of the FA Cup fifth round tie with Norwich last week.
Elliott’s emergence as a genuine option for Klopp could make all the difference as Liverpool look to end the season in style.
His presence allows those ahead of him in the pecking order to get a rest when needed without the drop-off in quality being too big.
Who knows what would have happened had he not picked up the injury which ruled him out for nearly five months from September. He may have already made himself a part of Klopp’s first-choice midfield three by now.
As it is, it benefits both Elliott and Liverpool to be patient. His time will no doubt come, but for now he’s maybe best used sporadically as he builds up his fitness ahead of what could be a huge season for him in 2022/23.
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