Liverpool boss Arne Slot is facing a selection headache as Harvey Elliott edges closer to a return. After fracturing his foot on England U21 duty in September, the 21-year-old playmaker is set to rejoin a midfield already brimming with talent.
The question is: where does Elliott fit in?
Curtis Jones has seized he No. 10 role this season, displacing £65m star Dominik Szoboszlai and becoming an indispensable part of Slot’s system. Fresh from shining for England with standout performances against Greece and Ireland, Jones has solidified his spot.
Meanwhile, Ryan Gravenberch’s emergence as a deep-lying dynamo means Elliott’s path to the starting XI looks increasingly narrow.
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Slot’s midfield operates with two deeper players and one advanced playmaker – a shift from Jurgen Klopp’s setup that offered more flexibility. Elliott, who thrives as a No. 10, now faces competition from Jones and Szoboszlai for a single spot. As there is no realistic opportunity on the wings due to Mohamed Salah’s untouchable status.
Yet, Elliott brings something unique. His creativity, goal threat, and ability to link play could offer Liverpool a new dimension in tight games. For England U21s, he racked up 10 goal contributions in seven European Championship qualifiers.
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Also, Slot used Elliott heavily during the pre-season and he was instrumental for the team. Elliott’s two assists during a 2-1 win over Arsenal is enough to show that Elliott has a knack for decisive moments.
Harvey Elliott’s return: a midfield puzzle for Arne Slot
Although his injury couldn’t have come at a worse time him this season, but the festive fixture congestion might be Elliott’s golden ticket. With Liverpool fighting on multiple fronts – premier League, Champions League, and Carabao Cup – Slot will need all hands on deck.
Still breaking into this Liverpool side will not be easier. Jone’s energy ans positional versatility make him hard to bench. While Szoboszlai’s pedigree ensures he remains a viable option.
But if Elliott can grasp any opportunity that comes his way, he has the tools to disrupt the established order. For now, Elliott’s return is a dilemma for the Liverpool manager.
Elliott averaged just shy of 50 appearances per season in Jurgen Klopp’s last two campaigns, becoming a regular fixture in the Premier League and in Europe. He will not be content by just collecting dust on the sidelines every week.
But with Jones rising high, Szoboszlai eager to bounce back, and Elliott ready to reassert himself Slot will face a hard time giving them game time without offending any one of them. On the other hand, as December’s fixtures pile up, this kind of headache is precisely what Liverpool need to stay competitive.
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