Harvey Elliott has raised eyebrows by omitting Liverpool icon Mohamed Salah from his dream five-a-side team. Even when asked to pick substitutes for his fantasy squad, which included Trent Alexander-Arnold, Thiago Alcantara and Roberto Firmino, the 22-year-old opted against selecting Salah.
Elliott’s only stipulation was that he had to pick himself and four players with whom he had played. That presented the obvious choice of goalkeeper Alisson Becker. However, Alexander-Arnold was named as the solitary defender over Virgil van Dijk. Elliott then proceeded to name himself, Thiago and Firmino. Luis Diaz and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were picked as the substitutes.
Asked to pick the team by Rising Ballers, Elliott said: “In goal, Alisson Becker. In defence, I would go… should I play with one? Go with Trent. Two midfielders, myself and Thiago. The striker would be Roberto Firmino.”
Elliott was even nudged to finally pick Salah when he was informed he could have two substitutes, but opted for Diaz and Oxlade-Chamberlain instead. It is unclear whether Elliott had inadvertently forgotten about Salah or genuinely did not want to select the Egyptian.
Salah has played a part in Elliott’s lack of game time at Liverpool over the past year. His world-class performances in the Reds’ Premier League title-winning campaign meant his younger team-mate was given few opportunities to impress on the right wing. In midfield, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alex Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones all limited Elliott’s minutes.
The former Fulham star made his first Premier League start of the season on May 4 and appeared only 18 times in the top-flight. He scored three times in five Champions League appearances, including the stunning late winner in the first-leg victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the last-16.
Elliott has been linked with a summer departure and admitted at the Under-21 European Championship: "It's just a situation that me, and the team on my behalf, have to have a conversation about. I'm going to be 23 next season and I don't really want to be wasting years of my career, as it's a short career.
“I just want to improve and be the best player I can be. If that's to go somewhere else, then it's a decision I'm going to have to make. Nothing makes me want to leave. I love the club, I love the fans, the team. I support them as well. It's just about what’s best for my career."