Harvey Elliott has been advised that he should leave Liverpool this summer in search of more regular game time after becoming frustrated at a lack of opportunities under Arne Slot in the season just gone.
Tony Cascarino, the talkSPORT pundit and Liverpool fan, believes that Florian Wirtz's arrival will only make things even more difficult for Elliott. And in a World Cup year, that wouldn't be good for his chances of squeezing into Thomas Tuchel's plans for the tournament this time next year.
"I mean, I'm interested in Harvey Elliott," Cascarino said. "He's one that stands out for me, because I do think it's time for him to move on from Liverpool. I just think because of the signings they have made.
"It would be great for him to have a great Under-21 [tournament]. I think every time I've seen him put on a shirt for Liverpool and with the Under-21s, I think Harvey Elliott's done well in every game.
"He's really enthusiastic, one of those guys who always wants the ball in any situation. You can give it to him.
"I said before, he reminds me of Ray Houghton. You know Ray Houghton was that type of player where he was always wanting the ball. Great at getting it in all different positions. You know, he was just infectious, Ray, and Harvey Elliott reminds me of that.
"Ray Houghton had a great ability to always want the ball and was very vocal on the pitch. And he [Elliott] has handled himself brilliantly. He's not thrown his toys out of the pram at any stage.
England U21 midfielder Harvey Elliott
Elliott may struggle for minutes next season if he stays at Liverpool (Image: Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)
"I'm sure he'd be disappointed with what has happened with Liverpool with the amount of game time he got. But it's a great opportunity with the Under-21s to have a really good tournament."
Liverpool would demand a substantial fee for Elliott if he were to move on. But clubs including Bayer Leverkusen and Brighton have both been linked with him.
"It's just a situation that me and the team have to have a conversation about because I'm coming into an age now where I'm 22, I'm going to be 23 next season," Elliott said last week, via BBC Sport, when asked if he is considering leaving Liverpool.
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"I don't really want to be wasting years on my career because it's a short career. You don't know what's going to happen.
"I need to reflect. I need to see if I'm content in doing what I'm doing and how can I improve as a player because that's the most important thing.
"I just want to improve and be the best possible version of myself. If that's to go somewhere else, then it's a decision that I'm going to have to make and I just need to see what happens."
Liverpool.com says: Elliott would definitely be able to play almost every minute for most Premier League clubs. A move away could make sense, with a big decision awaiting the Reds' No. 19.