Thiago Alcantara could be frozen out by Liverpool ‘superstar’ after ‘nasty’ development – pundit
Alan Hutton has suggested Thiago Alcantara’s injury could present Liverpool “superstar” Harvey Elliott with an opportunity to nail down a midfield berth.
The former Scotland defender, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 18-year-old Englishman has got the attributes to succeed in central midfield.
Thiago was distraught after being forced to pull out of the squad to face Chelsea in Liverpool’s League Cup final shoot-out win on Sunday (27 February) with a hamstring problem.
As quoted by the Liverpool Echo (1 March), manager Jurgen Klopp revealed the Spain international will “definitely” return after next week’s Champions League second leg against Inter Milan.
Elliott has made a gradual return to action after almost five months out with a fractured ankle.
Hutton insisted the starlet was “outstanding” in a central midfield berth at the start of the season.
“I think Elliott’s a superstar,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“I watched him in that central midfield role at the start of the season against Burnley – and he was outstanding.
“He’s definitely got the ability. He can pick a pass and he plays with no fear whatsoever – and that’s really refreshing.
“He’s come back quickly from a really nasty injury, which is brilliant – but he’ll be looking to build on that. This injury to Thiago could give him that chance.
“I’ve got no doubts that he’ll go on to be a superstar for Liverpool.”
Elliott has made eight appearances for Liverpool this season, including three starts in the Premier League.
The Anfield club sit six points adrift of league leaders Man City with a game in hand.
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