Liverpool coach speaks out on Harvey Elliott’s chances of being Jurgen Klopp regular
Liverpool starlet Harvey Elliott is close to a first-team call-up as Jurgen Klopp already thinks highly of the winger, claimed Reds coach Neil Critchley, after the 5-0 defeat to Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup.
Liverpool: Neil Critchley praises young players after Villa loss
Liverpool star Harvey Elliott is edging closer to Jurgen Klopp’s first-team squad, according to Under-23s boss Neil Critchley. Elliott was the Reds’ star performer during the 5-0 defeat to Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.
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“I thought he was a constant threat all night tonight, a really good outlet for us,” added Critchley.
“But he was reliant on a lot of the players getting the ball to him and I thought the service to him was top class as well.
“I wouldn’t want to single anyone out because I thought as a collective tonight, the whole group of players, the subs included, couldn’t have done any more.
“I thought we played like a Liverpool team and that was really, really important to us.
Liverpool news: Elliott starred for Liverpool in the 5-0 defeat to Aston Villa (Image: GETTY Images)
“We spoke about what we could control before the game, what was important to us. Good, bad or indifferent, we never quit.
“I don’t think you can accuse any of the Liverpool players tonight of putting their heads down or being downhearted, they stuck at it right to the end.”
Conor Hourihane scored the opening goal for Villa in the 14th minute, despite Liverpool’s apparent dominance.
Three minutes later, defender Morgan Boyes put the ball into his own net from a deflected cross.
Jonathan Kodjia scored another two goals before the half-time whistle, meaning Liverpool went into the dressing room 4-0 down.
Out-of-form striker Wesley rounded off the win for Smith in added time, scoring with a cute finish.
Despite the scoreline, Liverpool’s kids still managed 58 per cent of possession, and had more shots on goal than the Villans.
But, it was ultimately Villa that progressed into the semi-final of the Carabao Cup, while Liverpool’s senior squad will be hoping their senior squad successfully wins the Club World Cup.