Jurgen Klopp Regrets Limited Playing Time for Harvey Elliott
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is preparing for his final matches at the helm before departing Anfield at the conclusion of the season. In his pre-match press conference, Klopp acknowledged a tinge of regret regarding Harvey Elliott’s playing time this season.
Klopp Admits Regret Over Elliott’s Minutes
While Harvey Elliott has made 117 appearances for Liverpool since his debut in 2019, with this season seeing a career-high of 51 games, Klopp believes he could have utilized the young midfielder even more.
“It’s not something I dwell on,” Klopp said. “But if there’s one thing I have a slight regret about, it’s maybe not playing Harvey often enough.”
Klopp highlighted a period in January where injuries necessitated playing Elliott. During this time, Elliott impressed, showcasing his versatility across various midfield and right-wing positions.
“In January, during that intense period with all the injuries, he played really well,” Klopp said. “He was arguably our best player, whether on the right wing or in midfield.”
Jurgen Klopp explained that Elliott’s playing time diminished upon the return of other players. While Elliott continued to make impactful substitute appearances, Klopp feels he could have given him more starting opportunities.
“When everyone came back, he had a few minutes here and there but didn’t start anymore,” Klopp said. “It’s great that he’s been able to show what he can do coming off the bench.”
England Call-Up on the Horizon for Elliott?
With Elliott’s recent strong performances, questions were raised about a potential call-up to the England squad for the upcoming Euros. Having already impressed at the U-21 level, Klopp acknowledged Elliott’s potential inclusion.
However, Klopp avoided directly advocating for Elliott’s selection, preferring not to create unnecessary public pressure.
“If saying something would benefit Harvey, I would,” Klopp said. “But all it would do is spark a public debate, and even though he hasn’t done anything wrong, some people would find reasons why he shouldn’t be there. That could negatively impact him.”
Jurgen Klopp concluded by suggesting that Elliott possesses the qualities desired for international selection, leaving the final decision to the England manager.
“If someone wants to pick him, he has everything they need,” Klopp said. “It wouldn’t be a problem at all, but I’m not going to be involved in that discussion.”
