Harvey Elliott admitted he was "lost for words" after Liverpool suffered another defeat at the hands of Brighton and Hove Albion - this time with practically the last kick of their FA Cup fourth round tie.
Kaoru Mitoma, who was at his scintillating best when the Reds were beaten 3-0 by the Seagulls earlier this month, kept his composure to fire a well-taken goal past Alisson Becker in the 93rd minute. The goal stemmed from Liverpool's failure to clear their lines from an earlier set piece.
For the Reds, it means their defence of the trophy they ended a 16-year wait to win last season is over and they will now be left to compete in just the Premier League and Champions League as they attempt to salvage a torrid campaign at Anfield.
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Speaking to LFCTV after the game, Elliott admitted his side's current woes - which has seen them defeated on nine occasions in all competitions - are difficult to come to terms with and even more so given his close personal ties with the club he has supported since his childhood years.
“Once again, lost for words to be honest," said Elliott. “We fought so hard throughout the game to keep it at a draw, or keep ourselves in the lead. We had chances ourselves, I had chances to make it two and to increase our lead, but it’s another learning curve.
“Unfortunately the game is done, we can’t change the outcome, and for us it’s just about going again. In training tomorrow we need to put things right.
“It’s just an annoying one that we can’t change, and it’s down to us to look at ourselves. But at the same time we need to pick ourselves up and keep going. We always believe.”
Despite Liverpool's collective struggles, it has been a season of individual advancement for Elliott who is the only member of the squad to feature in all of the Reds' 31 games across the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup this campaign.
And although the results are failing to go in his side's favour at the moment, the 19-year-old is loving his time as a central figure on Merseyside.
“I’m loving it, to be honest. Playing for my boyhood club, there’s nothing more that I want to do in life," added Elliott. “At the same time, it’s just annoying that results aren’t really going our way, that would be the cherry on the cake for me.
“On a personal note, it’s nice to have the backing of the manager and the coaching staff, for me to go out and play these games.
“That’s what I want to keep doing. I want to keep playing for Liverpool, playing football, and contributing in every way I can to help us win games.”
After slotting past Jason Steele early in the first half to tally goals in consecutive FA Cup rounds, the midfielder was substituted just before the hour mark. However, he later revealed it was nothing to do with a blow to the head he suffered from Steele prior to half-time and confirmed there have been no lasting consequences.
“I’m okay. It’s a bit sore but it’s nothing that’s going to stop me, I’ve had worse,” he added. “It’s just a bang on the head so I should be over it in the next couple of days.
“I just want to keep fighting, keep going out and playing for the team, playing for the badge. I’d never come off unless I had to, to be honest.”
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