Jurgen Klopp comment explains how Liverpool ace Harvey Elliott may react to press savagery

Inter Milan v Liverpool: Pictures

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Harvey Elliott has made a staggering return from injury and even grabbed his first Liverpool goal in recent weeks. But the 18-year-old was subject to heavy criticism from foreign media, and Jurgen Klopp has hinted how he will react.

Reds sensation Elliott has received harsh criticism from abroad following his display against Inter Milan in the Champions League, despite being part of the side that went on to win 2-0.

The 18-year-old has flourished since becoming a regular in the first team, grabbing his first goal for the club after returning from a horror ankle injury sustained against Leeds in September.

Klopp kept his faith in the youngster by handing him a start against Inter at the San Siro, but was targeted by foreign media for his performance in the Champions League clash.

But the Liverpool boss has already claimed how Elliott will react, after observing the player for months.

MUST READ: Three players Liverpool may target as Raphinha tipped for Spain move

Elliott was in dreamland at the start of the season as he became a regular in the Liverpool midfield, but he was ruled out for five months after sustaining an ankle injury at Elland Road.

The 18-year-old fought back, and netted his first Liverpool goal at Anfield upon his return with a stunning strike against Cardiff in the FA Cup third round.

Elliott continued his return to full fitness by playing for the first hour against Inter in the Champions League before he was one of three players that were replaced, simultaneously, but he was slammed by foreign publications for a poor performance.

However, Klopp hailed Elliott for his ‘elite mentality’ and expects him to block out all negativity and focus on his own progression.

DON’T MISS: Arsenal living to regret snubbing £12.5m Emery transfer recommendation

Klopp told LiverpoolFC.com: “Probably his biggest talent is how ready mentally he is for all the stuff out there. He is a kid, yes, but on the pitch not so much.

“He was buzzing, he was really waiting for this moment and we were all waiting for it.”

It was Elliott’s first ever Champions League appearance, and he looked extremely comfortable in midfield, although publications L’Equipe and Gazzetta dello Sport didn’t think so.

French newspaper L’Equipe handed Elliott a match rating of just three out of ten, the joint-lowest on the pitch alongside Diogo Jota and Lautaro Martinez.

The harsh rating is also questionable for Jota, seeing as the Portuguese star was forced off at half-time with an ankle injury, but Elliott was placed in the ‘flops’ section of their analysis, with the Englishman accused of ‘lacking pace’.

They also took aim at ‘mistakes’ he made in the 27th and 42nd minutes, as well as a cross to Salah that was ‘not strong enough’.

Italian paper Gazzetta dello Sport was also disparaging of Elliott’s performance, handing him a five, the lowest score of any Liverpool player in their post-match report.

That led to be being labelled as ‘Il Peggiore’ or ‘the worst’ with his score also being the joint-lowest out of both sides, and they accused Klopp of demanding too much, but the German defended his decision.

“Harvey can play so much better he plays in the spaces, because that’s usually his natural game these half-spaces around the middle three,” Klopp said.

“He is naturally offensive-minded. He had some really good moments but we all know he can do better but he did the job, he worked incredibly hard.

“When you are 18 and you play against one of the most experienced teams – and they are Italian – then it is not a walk in the park. It was a very important game for him.”

Source: Read Full Article