In years to come, Harvey Elliott may look back on the summer of 2025 as a pivotal moment in his career.
The Liverpool star approached the Under-21 European champions in Slovakia with a simmering sense of frustration. Elliott admitted just days before the tournament that he might have no other option but to leave his boyhood club this summer, following the first significant backward steps of his fledgling career.
Only Darwin Nunez played more games in Jurgen Klopp’s final season at Anfield, but under Arne Slot, Elliott started just two league matches this season, and none before the title was secured.
Hence, his comments about the need to consider a move elsewhere for the sake of his development weren’t a surprise. “I don't really want to be wasting years [of] my career because it's a short career,” he bluntly explained.
How the mood has changed now after a stellar summer in which the 22-year-old has won a second piece of silverware at international level. How many England players can say that?
Elliott shone for Lee Carsley’s youngsters, netting five goals in six games and guiding the Three Lions to success. He was voted Player of the Tournament, and really came to the fore in the latter stages. Elliott scored in the quarter-final win over Spain, netted a game-winning brace against the Netherlands in the semi-finals, and then got the ball rolling in the final with the opening goal.
That he was so clearly the best player throughout the three weeks in Slovakia is a reminder of his immense talent and indicates the direction his career is heading. Having impressed in the decisive games and led his side to glory, there’s no doubt Elliott is ready to play a starring role on a weekly basis at club level.
Harvey Elliott has been linked with a move away from Liverpool this summer
Harvey Elliott has been linked with a move away from Liverpool this summer after an outstanding tournament for England. (Image: Getty Images)
Yet the fact he was available for the Under-21 tournament highlights that things haven’t quite gone to plan.
For instance, Elliott’s new Liverpool team-mate Florian Wirtz is a month younger than the former Fulham man, but his services weren’t required at the Euros. Instead, he played every minute for Germany’s senior side at the Nations League finals earlier this month.
Morgan Rogers was in a similar position for England, while there was no Lamine Yamal for Spain.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot and Harvey Elliott
Will Slot trust Elliott to play regularly next season? (Image: Getty Images)
But a role on the periphery will no longer do for Elliott, who has shown his capabilities on such a high-profile stage.
With Wirtz, Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones at Liverpool, it feels like a move away from Merseyside is in everyone’s best interest. Richard Hughes will no doubt have taken note on his performances this summer, with Elliott’s value rising after each game.
The Reds will undoubtedly profit greatly from the £4million the club paid to secure his services in 2019.
In the years since, Elliott has started less than half of the team's Premier League games in every season. Surely, 2025/26 campaign is the time for that to change.