Joe Cole and Jermain Defoe have both suggested Harvey Elliott should leave Liverpool this summer after he once again shone for England U21s.
The 22-year-old fired the Young Lions to the final of the UEFA European U21 Championship as he scored both goals in a 2-1 win over the Netherlands. England will now face one of France or Germany on Saturday as it looks to defend the title it won in 2023.
There has been much speculation over Elliott’s future, with the player himself having even hinted he may need to move away from Anfield in order to get regular playing time.
Elliott struggled for minutes in Arne Slot’s first season in charge of the Reds, making just six starts in a total of 28 appearances across all competitions, leading to speculation that he may move on this summer.
If he is to leave Anfield, he sent the perfect message to any potential suitors with his performance against the Dutch on Wednesday, with former Liverpool midfielder Cole insisting there is still more to come from Elliott.
“I love the lad” Cole told Channel 4. “I think he plays football the right way and I’m really excited for him. Not just for this final, but I’m excited for his future as well, for next year.
“He’s done a great job for Liverpool, and if he decides to move on, I still feel there’s levels.
Harvey Elliott celebrates after scoring England's second goal in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship semi-final against the Netherlands
Harvey Elliott celebrates after scoring England's second goal in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship semi-final against the Netherlands (Image: Getty Images)
“For a player to come to a tournament and do what he’s done, there’s levels for him to go up again, and I’d love to see him playing with that kind of passion and happiness on his face every week.”
Asked whether Elliott should leave Liverpool, Defoe then added: “There’ll be a lot of clubs watching this tournament.
“We said it before, he’s too good to not be playing. When you’re producing in big tournaments like this against the best players, the two goals that we saw this evening, he’s a top, top player.
“For him, he just needs to go out and play, get himself in a team where he’s one of the main players, and just go out and express yourself and show how good you are because this performance tonight, it’s amazing.”
Elliott himself has already hinted he may need to leave Liverpool this summer, although he has insisted he does want to stay at Anfield.
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"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 earlier this month.
"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.
"Nothing makes me want to leave. I love the club, I love the fans, the team. I support them as well. But most importantly, it's just about what's best for my career."