Bournemouth boss Scott Parker thinks the only way is up for Liverpool teenagers Harvey Elliott and Fabio Carvalho, as he prepares to go face-to-face with his former players at Anfield tomorrow.
As manager of Fulham, Parker handed Elliott his Premier League debut at the age of 16 years and 30 days, making him the youngest player ever to play in the Premier League. His presence in the Cottagers' first time was short lived however, making just one more appearance before moving to Liverpool in July 2019.
The highly-rated prospect has gone on to make 24 appearances in a Red shirt and has also enjoyed a productive loan spell with Blackburn Rovers. Parker confirms his talent was obvious straight from the off.
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Speaking to the Bournemouth ECHO, he said: "He was a fantastic player. Obviously I gave him his (league) debut, I think one of the youngest players to make his Premier League debut really.
"I saw the quality instantly when he came in with us really. He was a 15 or 16-year-old boy, straightaway brought him into the environment of the first team and you’re always conscious or worried to see how you go from youth football, where you’re always playing in your same age, you’re always referencing against people that are your same age.
"And then you come into men’s football, where obviously there’s experience, there’s age difference, there’s weights, there’s strength, there’s quality. As soon as Harvey came in, I could tell at that moment while he was probably underdeveloped, that technically his football brain and how he worked, he was able to survive really.
"So it doesn’t surprise me that he obviously went on to Liverpool and has had a massive role to play there. And I’m sure will have a big future there really. He’s a quality player."
Elliott has played in all three of Liverpool's Premier League matches this season, as well as featuring in the Community Shield win against Manchester City.
Another player who has worked closely with Bournemouth boss Parker is Fabio Carvalho, who moved to Anfield from Craven Cottage this summer. Carvalho has so far been limited to substitute appearances, but after impressing in his cameos, could be in line for a bigger role against the Cherries on Saturday, as Liverpool go in search of a much-needed win.
Speaking about Carvalho, Parker added: "Same again probably, Fabio fits into that bracket. Probably a little bit later, Fabio, than what Harvey was. I saw Fabs with us and around us, but we took probably a little bit more time to bring him in and give him his chance.
"He was training with us a lot and then obviously gave him that chance. As soon as I put him in, again he was a player that grabbed that opportunity. And, again, someone that is probably slight in physique but has a football brain. The intensity he works at, athletically how good he is and the quality he has, he can survive at this level.
"Hence why now he’s moved on to Liverpool and again no doubt he’ll have a big future there really."
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