Liverpool midfielder Fabinho says Harvey Elliott’s link-up with Mohamed Salah is important for The Reds.
Speaking to liverpoolfc.com, Fabinho said he had been impressed with Elliott’s performance against Crystal Palace last Monday.
“I think Harv played really well in the last game. Harvey is a little bit more offensive so it’s important to have a player like this with Harvey’s quality,” said Fabinho.
The Brazilian said that Elliott linking up with Salah, as well as Trent Alexander-Arnold, is a key feature of his game.
“We know that he will be between the lines, he can link up on that right side with Trent and Mo so it is really important for us that he is in good shape, that he is confident,” he continued.
“He almost scored in the last game, he was important in the offensive actions but he is someone who works really hard so he will help in the defensive part as well. So we are happy for him and hopefully he will get better because we need a player like this.”
Elliott standing up to be counted for Liverpool
Elliott is growing in influence during the early part of the season for Liverpool. The performance against Palace was an important step for him as he looks to establish himself in the team.
He didn’t manage a meaningful contribution as such. But that wasn’t for the lack of giving it a go. The 19-year-old was busy in possession and almost claimed a lovely assist for Darwin Nunez.
As Liverpool grew frustrated early in the second-half, Elliott was one of the players who kept trying to make an opening.
Fabinho is right about his link-up with Salah and Trent, too. While those two are often Liverpool’s best hope of a goal, adding Elliott into the mix adds something a little different.
His movement opens up space for Salah in a different way to Jordan Henderson. Furthermore, he gives Alexander-Arnold someone to bounce passes off.
As midfielders slowly return for Jurgen Klopp, Elliott may see his starting place under threat. Despite that, he looks set to start on Monday night at Old Trafford in what will be one of his biggest games for the club to date.
It may be a lot of pressure to add to Elliott’s young shoulders. But he has shown great maturity in his career with The Reds to date.
Should Liverpool get the three points away to Manchester United, you can bet that Elliott will have been at the centre of it.
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