Elliott: I do not want to be known as just a impact sub

Harvey Elliott has no desire to be a Liverpool ‘super-sub” and is willing to be patient to earn his place in the starting lineup.

The 20 year-old made a telling cameo in the come from behind victory against Crystal Palace on Saturday where he produced a superb strike to earn the Reds all three points at Selhurst Park and likewise played a key role in setting up Luis Diaz’s injury time equaliser against Luton.

But while he has been a constant figure in Liverpool’s Europa League campaign starting all five fixtures and playing the full 90 minutes in each game, along with two starts in the League Cup, in the Premier League it has been a different story.

In thirteen appearances this season, twelve have come from the bench for a grand total of 299 minutes played. His lone start came away to Brighton where he was substituted at half time.

Despite the lack of starts in the league, Elliott said he does not view it as a setback, instead he uses the opportunity to watch the game and assess where he can affect it when he comes on as the Echo reported:

“I think it’s just about taking that time to analyse the opposition, analyse the players you’re going to be playing against and maybe analyse our players as well, seeing what they’re doing, the things that aren’t coming off," Elliott said on how he has been able to make a mark regularly as a sub.

“The things they are doing that are coming off, you try and replicate, and maybe try something different as well. For me, it’s just about being aware and focusing fully on the game and the other team especially. Seeing where I can exploit the spaces, positions I can pick up. Starting compared with being on the bench it kind of gives you that different view and you are able to sit back and analyse it.”

Despite having a positive effect on a number of games this season from the bench, it is something that Elliott does not want to get used to.

“For me, I don’t really want to be known as a super-sub. It’s a great headline as well, it’s a nice one, but at the same time I want to be in the team. It’s time for myself to establish myself in that position again and hopefully get good run of games. But at the same time, I need to be patient as well and maybe be the super-sub as well."

While in many ways still at the beginning of what hopefully will be a long and successful career, Elliott has a maturity and humility that not many players of his age possess.

He knows what he wants, but is more than respectful of those that are in front of him.

"It’s not going to be straightforward. There are always going to be ups and downs, but you just need to keep working hard. You see the talent that we’ve brought in and the talent already around the club, and you can go through many, many names! But it’s a healthy competition, healthy relationships between the players, and we are always wanting to drive each other on.

"No-one is being selfish in that aspect of, ‘I want to play’, we are all there to support each other and make a difference when called upon. I feel like that’s what is good about this team, we are as a team throughout the whole season, and we’re all together 100%. That’s what makes it special."