Liverpool news: Whelan reveals how ‘brilliant’ Harvey Elliott is ‘even better than before’
Harvey Elliott looked “better and bigger” than ever during his Liverpool return on Sunday, according to Noel Whelan.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 18-year-old is “the future” of the Anfield side.
Elliott suffered a dislocated ankle against the Whites last year (12 September) following a challenge from Pascal Struijk and was stretchered from the field of play.
The winger played 32 minutes in the second half of Liverpool’s 3-1 FA Cup win over Cardiff on Sunday (6 February).
He put the gloss on the result by grabbing his first goal for the Merseysiders.
Speaking post-match, as quoted by the Guardian, manager Jurgen Klopp branded Elliott’s comeback a “proper fairytale”.
Whelan claimed the youngster will be “massively excited” after making his return.
“It was so brilliant to see him back and looking fit,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“There’ll be nobody more thrilled than Pascal Struijk to see him back, as well as the Leeds United fans.
“They’ll be overjoyed, alongside Jurgen Klopp, to have him back and playing again – he looks like he was never away.
“Since Xherdan Shaqiri left, he’s been that replacement. He forced him out with his development, and he’s more than filled those shoes this season.
“He’s the future. Now he needs time to get firing on all cylinders, but he looks well on his way after that finish.
“I’m sure he’s massively excited to be back. He looks to be even better and bigger than he did before.”
Elliott started three of Liverpool’s opening four Premier League games of this term.
The winger netted seven goals and registered 11 assists during a season-long loan at Blackburn last season.
In other news, finance guru claims Liverpool are in line to rake it in after £185m deal agreed.