Jurgen Klopp has suggested that Harvey Elliott could be in the Liverpool team against Crystal Palace on Monday.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference via Liverpool FC on YouTube, Klopp was asked whether Elliott would be in his plans to start at Anfield.
“He’s always (in my plans). (He’s) a fantastic boy, super player, he came on had a real impact (against Fulham). Played a really good pre-season, really helpful, so of course.”
Klopp will have to decide who will replace the injured Thiago Alcantara in the line-up against Palace. As things stand, the safe money would look to be on Elliott.
Elliott in-line for first start of the season
Despite the good news that Naby Keita has returned to the fold, it seems likely that Elliott will get his start on Monday.
He made a real difference playing in the right of the midfield three in the second-half against Fulham. Liverpool’s opening goal came from his link-up with Mohamed Salah, and this is a partnership that The Reds should look to grow.
Against Palace, there’s likely to be little space as the visitors sit back and soak up pressure. Whereas Liverpool could really do with Thiago in those situations, Elliott is a nice back-up to have.
The 19-year-old is able to pick locks with his intricate passing and excellent dribbling ability.
His understanding with Salah looks to extend to a friendship. Those two along with Trent Alexander-Arnold make for a tasty looking right-hand side.
Something for Klopp to consider though might be his use of Jordan Henderson. The captain usually operates in the space that Elliott likes to. His overlapping runs often help to create space for Trent and Salah.
It isn’t often that we’ve seen Henderson doing this on the opposite flank. At Craven Cottage, Klopp took off Fabinho and shifted Henderson into the 6 role, with James Milner on the left. This worked to a degree, but there’s no chance that Fabinho is left out on Monday.
Instead, Elliott’s likely inclusion will probably see a relatively new position for Henderson. How quickly both he and Elliott adapt to their roles will have a big impact on whether Liverpool get their first three points of the season.
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