Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott dilemma — keep or sell?

Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott has just helped England triumph at the European Under-21 Championship, winning the Player of the Tournament award with five goals scored in six games.

The 22-year-old’s standout performances have not only impressed his employers and head coach Arne Slot, but have also caught the attention of rival clubs and fans alike.

However, Elliott’s future at Anfield remains uncertain. He didn’t get many starts in Liverpool’s Premier League-winning campaign last season, prompting questions about his place in the squad under Slot. With his stock rising after a brilliant international campaign, however, the Dutch coach faces a significant decision: either integrate Elliott into his plans or cash in on a valuable asset.

Let’s take a look at Elliott’s Liverpool journey, his stats during his time at Anfield, and whether the club should keep or sell him.

Harvey Elliott’s Liverpool journey

Harvey Elliott joined Liverpool in July 2019 from Fulham as a 16-year-old. He arrived with the reputation of a highly talented teenager and got opportunities to impress in the domestic cup competitions. He made his Premier League debut in January 2020 against Sheffield United, coming on for Mohamed Salah in the final minutes of the game.

Elliott signed his first professional contract with Liverpool in July 2020. The Reds then loaned him out to Championship side Blackburn Rovers for the 2020/21 season, where Elliott scored seven goals and bagged 11 assists in 41 games and was nominated for the EFL Young Player of the Year award. 

He returned to Liverpool and signed a new long-term contract. Since then, he has made important — albeit sporadic — contributions to the club’s success. 

Harvey Elliott’s Liverpool stats

Harvey Elliott’s numbers for the Liverpool first team across all competitions read: 

• 2021/22: 11 games, one goal and no assists
• 2022/23: 46 games, five goals and two assists
• 2023/24: 53 games, four goals and 14 assists
• 2024/25: 28 games, five goals and three assists

We can see from these stats that Elliott saw more game time under Jürgen Klopp in his last two seasons compared to Slot’s first, though this was also due to a foot injury he sustained at the start last season.

A probable lack of trust on the coach’s part, coupled with the fact that there were better in-form players in his preferred positions — midfield and right wing — meant he didn’t play as much as he would have liked. That said, Elliott underachieved on certain metrics compared to others in the team.

Elliott ranks ninth for chances created, 14th for goals scored, and eighth for assists, behind the likes of Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo, and Dominik Szoboszlai. However, there are other stats that make his case even more unconvincing.

His passing accuracy (85.13%), shooting accuracy (30.77%), and dribbling success rate (50%) in the league last season were lower than those of his teammates. Mac Allister, case in point, had a passing accuracy of 87.22%, shooting accuracy of 56%, and dribbling success rate of 43% despite playing more games. Szoboszlai measured better as well, with a passing accuracy of 85.76%, shooting accuracy of 54.76%, and dribble success rate of 55.26% in 36 games — double the number of games Elliott played.

That said, even when he did start games, Elliott failed to make a lasting impression. In today’s cutthroat landscape of the Premier League, if you want to force your way into contention for regular starts, you have to make the most of every opportunity. Unfortunately, Elliott hasn’t managed to do that yet.

Conclusion

While Harvey Elliott’s recent performances at the U21 Euros have been impressive, they are unlikely to influence Arne Slot’s plans for the upcoming season. With the arrival of German attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz for a British record transfer fee, Elliott’s chances of securing regular starts are further diminished.

Elliott’s post-season comments have also hinted at his desire for more playing time, likely with the World Cup next summer in mind. That ambition could see him seeking a move away from Anfield.

Transfer speculation has linked him with interest from top sides in the Premier League, such as Brighton & Hove Albion, Tottenham Hotspur, and Newcastle United.

Ultimately, this summer may represent the ideal time for Liverpool to part ways with the young midfielder and capitalise on his rising stock. To safeguard their long-term interests, the club may also consider including a buy-back or sell-on clause in any potential deal.