Harvey Elliott may not be playing regularly for Liverpool, but he’s definitely been crucial for them.
The 21-year-old midfielder was brought on as a substitute in Paris and, in 47 seconds, created magic—hammering the ball into the net to secure Liverpool a 1-0 victory over PSG.
It was a goal that not only stunned the Parc des Princes but also asked a pertinent question:
Why is Elliott not playing more?
Despite his technical quality and consistency, Elliott has been relegated to the periphery of Liverpool’s first XI this season.
Injuries have not helped him—they have kept him out earlier in the season—but even once fit, his minutes have been restricted.
So naturally, there is frustration building.
Elliott is eager to feature more, but he also appreciates the cutthroat competition within the team. With players like Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, and Ryan Gravenberch competing for spots in the midfield, finding a place in the starting XI is not a straightforward task.
And yet, that has not prevented him from making a difference.
Whenever he takes to the pitch, Elliott contributes energy, creativity, and a desire to go forward.
His strike against PSG was the latest demonstration of how good he can be when he is given the opportunity.
Speaking after the game, he acknowledged he’s hungry for more minutes but is committed to helping out whenever he is called upon –
“I’ve already played almost 150 games for Liverpool [137] and I feel like I’m very experienced in that aspect. So there are moments within the season where I am getting angry, I am getting frustrated because I want to play, but at the same time I need to respect the situation and I need to respect the manager’s decisions.
Some games I’m needed, some games I’m not. That’s just how football is. That’s why I feel we’re in the position that we are in this season so far because of his decisions. PSG was another one where it worked in our favour. Luckily I was the chosen one, you could say, to come in and get the match-winner. We all need to be ready, it’s just not me and it’s just not the lads that are starting frequently. We’re all going to play our part, it’s just about staying ready.”
Liverpool’s midfield is brimming with talent, but displays such as these will force Arne Slot’s hand to play Elliott.
If he continues to deliver when called upon, his position within the squad should gain weight.
For the time being, though, he’ll have to continue doing what he does best—remain patient, remain prepared, and prove his worth when it counts.
