Loan Watch: Harvey Elliot Continues to Impress at Blackburn
The youngster has been oozing class on loan with Blackburn Rovers — but we’re not likely to see him recalled to Liverpool.
The seventeen-year-old English youth international has become a mainstay at Blackburn Rovers, lodging nine total goal involvements (four goals and five assists) in his 17 total matches played. He has worked to become an “essential starter” for the club, who want to manage his workload to avoid putting too much pressure and “over-burdening” his development.
His impact is hard to ignore, despite his age. He is at the top of the charts for progressive passes and runs per 90 in the Championship per Michael Caley’s analysis. He’s created a total of 12 chances this season, averaging 0.72 per 90, and generally acts as a creative hub for Rovers, and as we already knew, doesn’t lack in confidence.
top ball progressors in the Championship this season
— Michael Caley (@MC_of_A) January 1, 2021
a lot of interesting (and new!) names here along with the obvious Buendia, most notably it appears Liverpool have a live one here in Harvey Elliot pic.twitter.com/W3wQrpE16x
The youngster is one of a number of promising young players on Liverpool’s books (hello, Curtis Jones), and following Diogo Jota’s injury at the end of the Champions League group stage there were rumors that Elliot might be recalled to Merseyside.
Neither club has commented on whether or not the loan contract includes a recall option, however, and Blackburn are reportedly confident that the youngster will remain with them for the full season. As Liverpool’s midfield looks closer and closer to full strength, this is easy enough to believe.
In early December, Liverpool assistant coach Pep Lijnders told the Liverpool Echo that Elliot’s creative presence was missed in this particularly challenging season.
“At the same time, the constant threat of the final pass and the dribble and the shot. We miss him, to be honest, we really miss him. We wish he were here with us.”
While it might be some time before we see him in a red shirt, what’s undeniable is his skill level and future promise — and perhaps his development benefits from being away from the stress of the 2020/21 Liverpool season.
Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com
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