Harvey Elliott: The Key to Liverpool’s Low-Block Strategy | OneFootball

Can Harvey Elliott Become the Link from Midfield to Attack

I write this as Liverpool prepares to entertain the biggest footballing club on the planet, Real Madrid, in their upcoming Champions League encounter. Some might herald this as a contest that should be taken on with enthusiasm and that the strongest starting eleven should be fielded from the outset.

In twelve hours from this point, I will be made aware of the chosen assets for this tantalizing game, however, given the fact that the reigning Premier League champions, Manchester City, are also headed to Anfield this week, I appear to be one of a minority that is hoping to see more fringe players that first team regulars.

Which Players Can Rise To The Fore Over the Coming Weeks?

Under the guidance of the illustrious former Liverpool manager, Jürgen Klopp, many of his squad were able to elevate their levels exponentially during his glorious Anfield reign. I could name a plethora of ex-servants who became household names under the watch of the respected German.

Regarding one player, it would be Harvey Elliott, who now has the chance to kickstart his career under new leadership and guidance, after he sustained an early season injury that has forced him onto the sidelines. Following a fractured foot incurred whilst on international duty with England’s under-21 group, the former Fulham academy graduate is now back with the Liverpool first team and undertaking the final stages of his rehabilitation and recovery.

From early September to this point would have represented a significant period away from the matchday squad, however, this upcoming raft of games will coincide with the much-anticipated return of the 21-year-old attacking midfielder.

It is also expected that Alisson Becker, Diogo Jota, and Federico Chiesa, will be back in the coming days. However, given the stature and expected output of that senior group, I am more intrigued by what the Reds 5ft 7inch creator, Elliott, may offer under the new head coach, Arne Slot.

How Can Harvey Elliott Impact the First Team Elite?

As a right-wing option within this new 4-2-3-1 system of play, there becomes an immediate alternative to the Egyptian King, Mohamed Salah, with the return of the no.19. Despite the demands of the fanbase, this record-breaking goal scorer should have his extensive playing time managed whenever feasible, given his importance to any success this season.

Ultimately, the altered formation allows for a slightly different right-wing variety under the former Feyenoord manager, than we saw with the wide forwards prior. More creative awareness and greater control can play more into the skillset of the young Liverpool fan, who would lighten the load on the 32-year-old Salah. Of course, the much-anticipated return of Italy’s elite-level forward, Federico Chiesa, will allow even more depth across the more attacking positions, therefore, I believe the no.10 position could be where the diminutive playmaker, Elliott, can truly excel.

Despite a glittering start to life on Merseyside, the Red’s new overlord will be curiously trying to figure out how best to extract a venomous nature from his starting strikers. Diogo Jota appears to be the first in line, though his sporadic availability limits that initiative.

The Uruguayan forward, Darwin Núñez, is an enigma that may never truly evolve into what is required, whereas the use of Luis Díaz as the false nine may be nothing more than a part-time solution.

When considering the line behind the centre forward, I have absolute confidence and faith in the long-term success of the Hungarian skipper, Dominik Szoboszlai. This is a ferocious talent who brings a powerful and bespoke skill set to the attacking midfield position. Despite my allegiance to the former RB Leipzig man, there is no doubt that he lacks a certain level of finesse that is often required when placed in behind that centre forward.

As a second striker who is less robust yet more refined in finding the final ball, I suspect the creativity of the 20-cap England under-21 star, Harvey, will see him thrust into certain games and situations, where the infamous low block needs less pressing and more precision. The availability of differing variations that can occupy similar areas could be key to overcoming stubborn opponents, therefore, only positives should be taken during the slow integration of getting injured players back onto the pitch.

Reviewing What Could Be

In the summer preseason tour of the US, the incoming head coach, Slot, utilized his former Blackburn Rovers loanee ahead of the double pivot, recreating some of the experience that was undertaken during the players’ 2020/21 season-long loan at Ewood Park. That campaign ended with seven goals and twelve assists across 43 games for the Championship-based club.

With four goals and eleven assists garnered in 53 games last season for Liverpool, there is absolutely an opportunity for this left-footed Englishman to spark a goal-scoring relationship with one of the central strikers. The need to embed coordinated patterns of play is still an enterprise that is being perfected; therefore, with the return of Harvey Elliott to the fold, perhaps that is something that brings resurgence to the no.9 position.