Francis Benali says he saw something ‘excellent’ from Liverpool youngster vs Southampton

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Liverpool eased past Southampton 2-1 with a youthful Reds side booking their place in the League Cup semi-finals.

Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott were both on the scoresheet as the two Liverpool stars managed to secure goals that were well-needed for their personal development heading into 2025, with Arne Slot naming a heavily rotated starting XI.

With fans impressed with Trey Nyoni’s first professional start for Liverpool, it was a good showing for the Reds’ young stars, with Tyler Morton also in the XI with James McConnell and Jayden Danns coming on from the bench.

And Southampton legend Francis Benali was also impressed with another Liverpool youngster.

Harvey Elliott lauded after ‘excellent’ Liverpool goal vs Southampton

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, the former defender was full of praise for Elliott after the Liverpool midfielder’s ‘excellent’ goal for the Reds to put the visitors 2-0 up heading into half-time.

Elliott was the star of the show for Liverpool with the England youth international replacing Mohamed Salah in the right-wing position, with the former Fulham wonderkid taking to the position like a duck to water.

And Benali was impressed with what he saw from Elliott, with the youngster grabbing his opportunity with both hands and giving a good showing of himself in what could go down as an important match for the 21-year-old.

Benali said: “The goal has come from Liverpool’s left-hand side. They have been a threat there for the whole game. Harvey Elliott’s first touch was excellent and the deflection makes all the difference and gives the visitors a 2-0 lead.”

Man of the Match display could be huge for Elliott’s Liverpool career

With just five appearances in all competitions this season, it’s safe to say that Elliott needed to perform against Southampton if he was to get into Slot’s good books after such a disruptive year.

However, the midfielder did just that against the Saints, with Elliott scoring his first goal of the season and putting in a fantastic shift in an unusual position for the youngster, who under Jurgen Klopp was used as a midfielder.

Indeed, Elliott’s problems now seem to be behind him after such a strong showing on the English south coast, and the England youth international could now expect more chances after bagging his first goal of the campaign.