Liverpool supporters are assessing the ramifications of Arne Slot being sacked on Saturday, with the make-up of the squad likely to drastically change.
One of fans’ biggest criticisms of the Dutchman has been his stubborn favouritism towards certain players, and the knock-on effect of others being sidelined as a result.
Perhaps the best example of this is Harvey Elliott, who having fallen out of favour and even left the club under Slot, may now have a chance to resurrect his Liverpool career.
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Elliott would have been delighted by Slot sacking
It is never nice to see a Liverpool manager lose his job, no matter the feeling towards him by the end. Above all else, it means that things have been going badly at Anfield, and that is always a worrying place to be in.
Nevertheless, the excitement of seeing a new manager in charge is undeniable, and with Andoni Iraola looking likely to take charge, a new lease of life will be given to the whole Liverpool squad.
It has already been reported that Curtis Jones could reverse his decision to leave, and after being frozen out by Slot, the same may now be true for Elliott.
The one big factor going against the 23-year-old is that he now has only one year left on his Liverpool contract. Clearly, if they are going to sell him, the Reds need to do it now.
But that does not mean that he won’t stay for a chance to prove himself. Elliott is a fighter and a grafter, and it is easy to see how he could play a part, and earn himself a new deal, under someone like Iraola.
That would complete one of the most startling comeback stories of recent years, with the former England U21 star having effectively said goodbye to Liverpool last summer.
For him to return after Aston Villa failed to trigger his buy clause was surprising enough, but to then go on and turn things around completely would be even more shocking.
That chance was never going to be afforded to him with Slot at the helm, but Iraola – or whoever takes charge – will be able to count him as part of their first Liverpool squad, and if he can impress early on, there could be a way back here.
Elliott needs a big pre-season
Having spent the season on the sidelines with Villa, but still picked himself up a Europa League winner’s medal, Elliott should be hungry to avoid another wasted campaign.
He may have resigned himself to leaving Liverpool in order to play more games, and that would be completely understandable. But if he can hit the ground running in pre-season, there is no reason that can’t be with the Reds.
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Whatever happens, there will remain question marks over whether Elliott really is good enough to be a member of the Liverpool squad, certainly the starting XI.
But now, more than ever, the Reds need players who understand the club and its culture and buy into it. That is Elliott completely, and though this story looked to be coming to an end, there is now the prospect of a further chapter or two.
Depending on who you listen to, there will have been a raft of Liverpool players happy to hear the news that Slot has been relieved of his duties, but while some of their reasons will be surface-level or even spiteful, in Elliott’s case, he has genuine cause to celebrate.
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