Jurgen Klopp has already hinted at the role Harvey Elliott will play for Liverpool
After playing three of the first four games of the season in Liverpool's midfield, the kid could have been forgiven for looking ahead to see what the immediate future held for his boyhood club.
Most outside the Liverpool bubble were surprised by his early selection, particularly in the game against Chelsea in late August, but Jurgen Klopp and his staff were certain the teenager could contribute meaningfully.
Elliott was in excellent form in the early going of last season, adjusting with ease to the tactical change that saw the right-sided midfielder playing out to wide areas to support the threat of Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold.Perhaps the best example of what Elliott was in the team to provide is Sadio Mane's goal in the 2-0 victory over Burnley on August 21. Elliott moved out wide to receive a pass from Virgil van Dijk before playing one inside for Alexander-Arnold to claim an assist.
Unfortunately for Elliott, a terrible ankle injury that would sideline him for four months and put him in need of oxygen on the Elland Road pitch while being assisted by chief physio Chris Morgan and club doctor Jim Moxon would ruin his season.
Although Elliott's recent promotion to the first squad of the team he has supported his entire life will have been a terrible blow for the youngster, his maturity and character were evident during those trying times last year.
Elliott's "old soul," according to Klopp, helped him deal with the setback more quickly than other players in his age range. While his teenage years were physically helpful to him during the healing process, it was his wise-beyond-his-years mentality that made sure he didn't rush his return at the end of 2021.
Klopp told the ECHO in December that "from a mental point of view, Harvey is really an ancient soul, I would say he is incredibly mature for a young age." "He has accepted the circumstance and is dealing with it quite fine.
"Everyone in the area attempts to assist him. Although he has a wonderful family at home and is a generally upbeat guy, I feel like I should try to make him feel better on occasion.
"And sure, we all hope that his youth will aid in his physical recovery, though how swiftly is not as crucial. The key word here is fully. I cannot envision a situation where we would consider hurrying him back at the present, and I sincerely hope I don't retract what I just said."
Although sources had previously predicted a return in March, Elliott was finally able to return to the field in early February and scored a stunning goal to seal a 3-1 FA Cup victory over Cardiff.
When Klopp selected Elliott for the starting lineup against Inter a few weeks later, Elliott beat Alexander-record Arnold's for the youngest Liverpool player to start a Champions League game at the age of 18 years and 318 days.
Elliott also surpassed Kieran Gibbs, who was 19 years and 201 days old in 2009 when he played for Arsenal in the quarterfinals, as the youngest English player to make his Champions League debut in the knockout stages.
The young player would also play a significant role as a regular-time substitute in the Carabao Cup final, which Liverpool won against Chelsea at Wembley at the end of February to win the first of their two domestic championships.
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