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Rio Ferdinand highlights Harvey Elliott 'arrogance' in honest assessment of Liverpool star
LIVERPOOL star Harvey Elliott has been given a glowing assessment by Rio Ferdinand.
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Rio Ferdinand claims Harvey Elliott has the arrogance to be a top player for years to come. Liverpool midfielder Elliott has had a strong start to the season but Ferdinand has warned him not to be sidetracked by a potential call-up to the England squad for the World Cup later this year.
The 19-year-old has now started Liverpool's last five Premier League matches. He scored his first top-flight goal in the 9-0 drubbing of Bournemouth at Anfield last weekend.
Ferdinand has been hugely impressed with what he has seen from Elliott. He says talk of a potential England call-up must not distract him from his performances at club level.
However, the Manchester United legend believes the teenager has a key quality in order to have a stellar career. Ferdinand told BT Sport: "He could be [called up by England] but as a kid, as a young player, you've just got to take that out of the equation.
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"You've got to think about playing well for your club, the other stuff will take care of itself. What I will say about him, he's got a real, nice arrogance about him.
"I think all the top players have a certain amount of arrogance around them. He has that.
"He feels like he should be playing. He's a massive Liverpool fan himself, he and his family have followed the team for years.
"But this kid, I don't think he will be sitting there going 'oh, I'm surprised I'm playing'. I think he's sitting there going 'I expect to play'.
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"A bit more output in terms of assists and goals, and he will be on his way. But a tremendous talent."
Former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch has hailed how Elliott has returned from the broken ankle he suffered early last term and reckons this season could be a real breakthrough campaign. Crouch said: "I’ve been really impressed.
"I said at the start of the year it could be a really really big year for him, it’s proven to be the case. I think people forget he was first choice last year, he was just very unlucky with injuries - that’s the thing that held him back.
"He’s got plenty of ability, he can come inside, he’s built a good relationship with Trent and Salah, he can pick a pass and I think Liverpool’s midfield has been industrious under Jurgen Klopp but he can be the real key because he can unlock defences. If he adds goals to his game I think he will be a real top player."
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