Harvey Elliott takes on impressive new role at Liverpool despite only being 20
He's still only 20 so still a 'kid' in Premier League terms, but Harvey Elliott also happens to be one of the most senior players - in terms of appearances - in Liverpool's new-look midfield.
And while he admits to still struggling to get his head around such a bizarre situation, the England U21 regular is taking the responsibility of his insider knowledge of Anfield seriously, to help Jurgen Klopp's new-look team bed in successfully.
Of Liverpool's eight-man midfield department, which Klopp significantly refreshed this summer, only Curtis Jones with 100, and Thiago Alcantara with 97, have actually made more appearances than Elliott, who is approaching ‘experienced’ status, with 73 games under his belt already.
It means he has to step up and take responsibility for helping the new signings settle in, and also take a much greater role in creating an environment where Klopp’s “Liverpool 2.0” as the manager calls it, can forge its own identity, and mentality.
Elliott is happy to do that... though he does it with his own distinct, almost cheeky smile, which is a refreshing part of this new incarnation of Klopp’s team. “It’s a tough one to get my head around, being so young!” he says of the responsibility he has as a long-standing first-team member.
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“But we know we all need to play our part. We want to step up this season and take responsibility and that's exactly what I'm trying to do each and every game. I'm trying to put in the performances and put the hard work in for the team and help others around me, try to bring them up if they are feeling down.
Harvey Elliott in action against Manchester City (Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)“It is a team at the end of the day and the quicker we become a team and have those relationships with one another and become a family then the better and more successful we will be.”
Elliott can already sense a difference in the squad, with a newfound hunger after the disappointment of the last campaign, where Liverpool’s usually impeccable standards slipped, and they finished outside the Champions League places for the first time in six seasons.
They have the same character though - proving there is something of Klopp’s mentality monsters with the new-look team as they have come from behind to win four matches already this season, in just six outings.
They are unbeaten too, a marked improvement on the previous campaign, where they struggled to put together any form of unbeaten run until the final couple of months.
And he explains: “This season feels different, the hunger and desire. We are just trying to bed them (new players) into the team and try to make them feel welcome as quickly as possible... trying to show them the Liverpool Way.
“We know it is important we are a team, and whoever steps up plays and you have to know what it means to play for Liverpool and they have got that instantly. We just need to keep bedding them in and keep making them feel welcome.”
Elliott impressed as he was one of the stand-out stars in the midweek Europa League win against LASK, with his range of passing from the midfield a true benchmark in the performance.
He offers an intriguing behind-the-scenes insight into Klopp’s methods - which he says all of the squad have instantly bought into - as the manager tries to foster a sense of togetherness and real team identity in his squad.
“It is everyone. Everyone takes responsibility: if someone is feeling left out you go sit with them or call them over. It's part of our policy: no one eats alone, no one is alone in the changing room or when we go for walks.
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“We do everything as a team and it reflects on the pitch. It creates a real sense of team. Everyone in the team has achieved great things and you want to play a part and to have these world-class players around you, supporting you.
'Personally, having these high-profile players who have won loads of trophies and competitions is a dream come true to be learning from them. I try to allow them to learn off me if there is anything they need to learn (about Liverpool), but at the end of the day to be playing among them and be around them is unbelievable and I'm so happy to be here and to put on a shirt and go out and play.”
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