Whelan makes multi-million Elliott claim after Liverpool deal agreed
Harvey Elliott could save Liverpool millions of pounds by replacing Xherdan Shaqiri in the squad, according to Noel Whelan.
The ex-Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the 18-year-old could fill the void left by the Switzerland international.
Liverpool confirmed yesterday (23rd August) Shaqiri had joined Ligue 1 side Lyon on a permanent basis.
Elliott stepped into the Liverpool midfield against Burnley on Saturday.
The teenager starred for Blackburn in the Championship last season, scoring seven in 41 second-tier games.
Whelan said that Elliott’s experiences last term could stand him in good stead when staking a claim for minutes this season.
“He’s definitely an option this season,” he told Football Insider‘s Dylan Childs.
“Elliot’s very young, very exciting, and has had a full season away in the Championship.
“He had a fantastic season with Blackburn, and now Liverpool want to keep him around for this season. He’s now their future.
“When you lose a player like Shaqiri, it’s great to have a younger player like him there to help. Why would you need to go out and buy someone for a big fee when Elliot is ready to take that place?
“You’ve brought this young player in to develop and nurture, why stifle his development by getting someone else in?”
“He’s now got an opportunity to become a part of the first team in the Premier League this season.”
Shaqiri left Liverpool after scoring eight goals in 63 appearances at the club.
Forwards Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah are slated to join up with their respective national sides at the 2022 African Cup of Nations in January.
In other news, Kevin Phillips has tipped this midfielder as a ‘perfect signing’ for Liverpool.