Harvey Elliott: “Sometimes You Have To Win Dirty”
The Liverpool substitute was one of the sparks that saw his side score three times in the second half to earn a Premier League win over Southampton.
Liverpool’s match on Saturday easily could be considered a trap game. Playing against the bottom team in the Premier League in a match sandwiched between UCL knockout play against PSG, the Reds needed to find a way to a result past Southampton to keep their lead at the top of the Premier League. A rare mix-up in the back between veterans Virgil van Dijk and Alisson saw the visitors fire home in the first half as the Saints put up a fierce rearguard to frustrate Liverpool at Anfield. A raft of second half changes and a change in intensity was enough for Liverpool to score three goals in the second half to take all three points.
Harvey Elliott, who came on to provide a spark at the half, spoke after the match about finding ways to win and keeping the momentum going. The midfielder feels the squad has quality enough up and down the lineup, and the players have the mentality to will their way to a victory.
“It wasn’t our best performance, we know that and I think everyone knows that, but it’s three points and that’s all we can do really. It’s just about winning, not how we win. Sometimes you have to win dirty and today was one of them days. We caused ourselves problems but at the end of the day it’s three points and it keeps the momentum high.”
“I think we know that’s what winners do really: when times are hard, what do you do? How can you come up with something to win the game? Luckily this squad is full of them players. We all dig deep and fight as much as we can to get three points and today was one of them, with the fans behind us as well. I think in the second half we came out fighting and we wanted to turn the game around and that’s exactly what we’ve done.”
Elliott almost replicated the magic he produced last Wednesday when he came on as a late substitute and scored a winner against PSG in Champions League play under a minute after entering the match. Harvey smashed a shot that was deflected just past the far post on Saturday within a couple of minutes after stepping on the pitch against Southampton.
Liverpool are amidst a season-defining stretch of matches, with momentum towards a league title, advancement in the Champions League, and a domestic trophy all on the line over the course of the next week. Elliott said it feels like a series of finals over the next four matches.
“I think the best possible way to describe it is four finals, really: PSG away, really, really tough game, today was a really tough game, then again on Tuesday another tough game and then the final on the weekend. So, we just need to make sure that energy-wise we’re still there. We’re still fighting, we’re still hungry to achieve things this season, although it’s a very tough period.”
“But I think now more than ever it will show the team’s desire and attitude and I think we’re all there. We all want to do the very best we can this season and as I said, this part of the season is a massive part. We just need to keep going out and sticking to the game plan and making sure we win.”
Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com
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