Klopp: Elliott is an exceptional talent

On 31/10/2019 at 04:28, TLW said:

Jürgen Klopp has hailed the talent of Harvey Elliott after the 16 year-old produced a impressive display in Liverpool’s thrilling penalty shootout victory against Arsenal on Wednesday evening.

The Reds came back from 3-1 and 4-2 down to tie the scores at 5-5 through a Divock Origi strike late in injury time before winning 5-4 in the shootout.

Elliott became the youngest ever player to feature for Liverpool at Anfield and he won the spot-kick which James Milner duly converted at the end of the first half and Klopp said (via the Echo) that it was great he was able to display his talents to a large audience.

“Harvey played really well. Not like you would expect from a 16-year-old.

“It's easy to be convinced about him when you see him training. He is an exceptional talent really and is a nice kid as well.

“To see him encourage the crowd around the corners...I had a couple of moments where I was really touched.

 

                                                                 

Along with Elliott, Klopp gave Anfield debuts to Sepp van den Berg, Rhian Brewster and Caoimhin Kelleher while young Welsh right-back Neco Williams made his professional debut.

Klopp said he did not hesitate to give the exposure to the aforementioned players in this cup tie and it was even better that they all played a role in the victory.

"I don’t want to take that for granted, to be honest. It is always special and it was special tonight.

"I was absolutely convinced we could give them a proper game.

 

"That is why decided on the line-up. But when you are 3-1 down, we played some really good football.

“We lost the ball in the wrong areas and we were too open. We had to wait for half-time and you hope then you can change a couple of things. But it was 3-2, that’s right? It was good!

The joy that Klopp got from the occasion was evident in his post-match comments even while admitting mistakes were made.

“You know, I just enjoyed it. I enjoyed each second of the game. I don’t know the last time I had so much fun in a football game.

 

                                    

“I saw so many really good performances, I was so happy for the kids that they will remember the first night for the rest of their lives. 

“They made it a proper, special football night. Everyone who came tonight saw 19 goals – pretty special. Really perfect. Absolutely perfect.

“Yes, as a manager maybe I should worry more about the goals we conceded but I couldn’t care less. To be honest, I couldn't care less. 

“The mistakes that we made were obvious. 

“The fifth goal (from Joe Wilock) was a really good goal but all the others we had a hand in.

“ But it’s not important. The most important thing for development is that you react in the right way. 

“All these boys need to play in difficult football games – and it was a difficult football game. They worked their socks off and left their soul on the pitch. I really loved it."
 

 

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I'd forgotten about that bunhead. It's even worse than the mess he has on his head now. 

Anyway, he's done well the last few weeks. I still think he's better off the bench, but strangely even when he starts, he's at his most influential towards the end of the game most weeks. Maybe he's a player who has one speed and when everyone is full pelt at the beggining, he's not quite there, but as they all slow, he's still going along at the same pace. 

Really surprised at how many minutes he's getting back to back right now (I'm sure not always by choice with the injuries we have!) but to keep playing at the level he has with not much rest is great. 

3 minutes ago, Salou said:

Really surprised at how many minutes he's getting back to back right now (I'm sure not always by choice with the injuries we have!) but to keep playing at the level he has with not much rest is great. 

He might get a few minutes off on Sunday. 

I must be missing something you're all seeing. Sure he works hard, I'm not denying that and his energy levels have been extremely impressive these last 4 games where he's played almost every minute.

But, is he really good? Like why do some of you rate him so much? What are you seeing that I'm not?

I see a player with no pace, who very rarely makes an interception /tackle because he over compensates and then gets easily beat. He loses the ball a shit ton, his passing is often backwards and the easy option. Sure he looks busy and clearly playing for the shirt matters to him but do you all think he'll be here for years after Klopp goes?

Is he really in the top 0.00001% to play regularly for one if the biggest clubs in the world? 

I just don't see it, hope I'm wrong but I'd be suprised if he lasts more than 2 years after Klopp goes. 

50 minutes ago, Barrington Womble said:

I'd forgotten about that bunhead. It's even worse than the mess he has on his head now. 

 

Anyway, he's done well the last few weeks. I still think he's better off the bench, but strangely even when he starts, he's at his most influential towards the end of the game most weeks. Maybe he's a player who has one speed and when everyone is full pelt at the beggining, he's not quite there, but as they all slow, he's still going along at the same pace. 

Exactly that. He’s like the guy who can run a steady 10k in 50 minutes but can’t do a 5k in less than 25. One-paced, but still doing that Same pace when others have dropped off. 
 

I think the difference off the bench is that the angles he sees and the kind of balls he wants to play are bound to be more productive when the other side’s defenders and midfielders are kanckered and there is space 

21 minutes ago, Mil-ing Around said:

I must be missing something you're all seeing. Sure he works hard, I'm not denying that and his energy levels have been extremely impressive these last 4 games where he's played almost every minute.

 

But, is he really good? Like why do some of you rate him so much? What are you seeing that I'm not?

 

I see a player with no pace, who very rarely makes an interception /tackle because he over compensates and then gets easily beat. He loses the ball a shit ton, his passing is often backwards and the easy option. Sure he looks busy and clearly playing for the shirt matters to him but do you all think he'll be here for years after Klopp goes?

 

Is he really in the top 0.00001% to play regularly for one if the biggest clubs in the world? 

 

I just don't see it, hope I'm wrong but I'd be suprised if he lasts more than 2 years after Klopp goes. 

 

 

 

Even ignoring his exploits earlier in the season when he was helping the team turn games with assists or incisive play, the last few matches he has been directly involved in at least 5 goals. In the league cup final, he was millimetres away from claiming the winning goal in injury time.

If all you see is a player who looks "busy but loses the ball a shit ton, with backwards passing and taking the easy option", then you clearly are watching the wrong sport or you are completely blinded by bias.

I love the little scamp, I find I’m often fighting the urge to tousle his hair, pretend punch him on the cheek and call him champ.

2 hours ago, Mil-ing Around said:

I must be missing something you're all seeing. Sure he works hard, I'm not denying that and his energy levels have been extremely impressive these last 4 games where he's played almost every minute.

 

But, is he really good? Like why do some of you rate him so much? What are you seeing that I'm not?

 

I see a player with no pace, who very rarely makes an interception /tackle because he over compensates and then gets easily beat. He loses the ball a shit ton, his passing is often backwards and the easy option. Sure he looks busy and clearly playing for the shirt matters to him but do you all think he'll be here for years after Klopp goes?

 

Is he really in the top 0.00001% to play regularly for one if the biggest clubs in the world? 

 

I just don't see it, hope I'm wrong but I'd be suprised if he lasts more than 2 years after Klopp goes. 

 

 

 

It's pretty simple; for a midfielder, he is very productive with the ball and his off ball work is good enough that Klopp has never had an issue with using him.

So all in all, considering he's pretty young, he performs and therefore gets minutes.