Everything was set up. This was going to be Harvey Elliott’s breakthrough season with Liverpool.
After suffering a cruel injury last year, now was his time to shine. Liverpool’s injury problems in midfield, which have robbed Jurgen Klopp of Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Curtis Jones and, for a time, Thiago Alcantara, played into Elliott's hands.
While the 19-year-old midfielder always had the backing of his manager, now he also had the opportunity to start regularly and cement himself in the starting XI. The results have been intriguing – a mixture of clear talent, but also of the limitations that come with youth and inexperience.
