Harvey Elliott has said a starring role as Liverpool’s “chosen one” against Paris Saint-Germain compensated for the anger and frustration he has felt at his limited game-time under Arne Slot.
The Liverpool forward believes his match-winning goal on Wednesday in the Champions League last-16 first leg, scored 47 seconds after replacing Mohamed Salah, underlined the determination of every squad member to contribute this season plus the quality of Slot’s decision-making. But having been restricted to 507 minutes of football, and only 76 minutes in the Premier League, the 21-year-old admits Slot’s outstanding debut campaign has had its challenges.
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Elliott, who has not started a league game for Liverpool this season, said: “I’ve already played almost 150 games for Liverpool [137] and I feel like I’m very experienced in that aspect. So there are moments within the season where I am getting angry, I am getting frustrated because I want to play, but at the same time I need to respect the situation and I need to respect the manager’s decisions.
“Some games I’m needed, some games I’m not. That’s just how football is. That’s why I feel we’re in the position that we are in this season so far because of his decisions. PSG was another one where it worked in our favour. Luckily I was the chosen one, you could say, to come in and get the match-winner. We all need to be ready, it’s just not me and it’s just not the lads that are starting frequently. We’re all going to play our part, it’s just about staying ready.”
Elliott has spoken regularly with the Liverpool head coach over his involvement and accepts that, with Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai among those ahead of him, playing for his boyhood club will be a test of patience.
He said: “We’ve had very honest conversations and open conversations. It’s down to me to put the work in and show him everything that he’s told me. I’m trying to work on it, I’m trying to improve and I’m trying to get in this team. At the same time, I feel like I can’t get too angry and frustrated because quite frankly the team is doing amazing.
“It’s a team game. It’s just not about me. I just need to make sure that I’m ready in moments like this where I can contribute. Just make sure I’m in the right mind frame to come on and influence the game.”
Despite the difficulties, a late winner to stun PSG at the Parc des Princes was a moment for Elliott to savour and reward for his team-first approach. “Opportunities like this, go out and take them and enjoy the moment because sometimes I have been frustrated this season,” he said. “To get the winner is one thing, but on a Champions League night away from home it’s a very special feeling for myself and my family. I need to enjoy it somewhat.”
