There is still business for Liverpool to conduct in what remains of the summer transfer window
Liverpool forward Harvey Elliott and coach Arne Slot
Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott with head coach Arne Slot
(Image: FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images) )
As brutal as it may seem, Harvey Elliott faces an uphill struggle to maintain his Liverpool career. Six years is a long time to spend at a club without ever being recognised as one of the first names on the teamsheet.
Only 822 minutes of football last season, paired with the fact that a first start for the Reds in the Premier League came only after the title was wrapped up in late April, all-but confirmed Elliott's position under Arne Slot. Then the club went out and spent £116m on a new attacking midfielder, reinforcing the difficult task of breaking into the team.
Liverpool are fortunate that they have developed a mature, young talent who has recognised this is the state of play without having to be told or causing a disturbance.
"If I had it my way I would be here for the rest of my career, it's as simple as that," says the boy who grew up watching the likes of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres grace the Anfield turf, to eventually get the chance to do so himself by the age of 16.
"I love everything about the club, but at the same time I kind of need to be selfish and see what's best for me. I have big ambitions. I want to get in the World Cup squad.
"I want to keep being successful as a player. It's something I still need to review. I need to have a talk with everyone and review the situation. We have many new players who have come in so whether it blocks the path for me I'm not sure.
"It's something I need to have a look at and decide."
It is questionable how likely he is to achieve these targets, whether they are short-term for within the season ahead or as general targets for his whole career, as long as he stays just an option at Liverpool's disposal.
No coach, teammate or supporter ever wishes to see such a dedicated individual depart, but all roadmaps point to this being the best plan of action for Elliott before the window closes.
Tottenham Hotspur are one of the latest Premier League rivals to be linked with making an attempt in the final 30 days of the summer window and following today's events, Elliott heading to north London seems to be a switch that can benefit all parties.
They have just suffered a horrible injury blow to fellow attacking midfielder James Maddison in pre-season, leaving fresh doubts of his involvement in the new campaign as it reportedly looks to be a recurrence of a past knee problem. Signing another in the form of Elliott plugs the gap for Thomas Frank.
From Elliott's perspective, he gets to go to an ambitious setting where the team have just reignited their taste for silverware. Top-four is always Spurs' ambition and he has the opportunity to stamp down a place in the team with one less competitor for a place, as cruel as that may be.
The added layer there is Maddison would have been a big competitor for a place in next year's England 2026 World Cup squad - the Reds favourite would get the chance to prove his worth to Thomas Tuchel in direct comparison with the Spurs No.10.
And lastly for Liverpool, Elliott's sale can help begin to offset the summer spending for 2025, which is bordering on £300m, potentially rising above £400m, if there is a deal to be completed for Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak.
The Reds are well-positioned financially to complete their intended business but the only reason that is a possibility comes down to their stringent management of assets in the years prior.
Elliott, who arrived at Liverpool from Fulham for up to £4.3m in compensation, has two years left on a contract on Merseyside so now is the opportune time to collect a transfer fee from a sale, if the club are planning to do so.
As a homegrown talent the amount received from the sale would enter Liverpool's 2025/26 accounts as pure profit and go a long way in the future to limit losses and reset for future transfer windows.