Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott has admitted it was a "big sigh of relief" to score the winner in the Reds' FA Cup replay against Wolves - admitting he hasn't performed anywhere close to his best since the return of domestic football last month.
The 19-year-old midfielder, who had not started since Liverpool's disastrous defeat to Brentford earlier this month, made a return to the starting XI for the tie at Molineux as Jurgen Klopp made eight changes to the side that was humiliated by Brighton.
Elliott's involvement saw him restored to a familiar role on the right-hand side of the attack, which was soon justified when he scored the only goal of the game with a superb strike from distance after 13 minutes.
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Picking the ball up from deep inside Wolves' half, he drove at the hosts' defence before unleashing a 25-yard screamer past the helpless Jose Sa.
Speaking after the game, Elliott revealed that he has been pushing to enhance his attacking output after a disappointing few months at Anfield
"We deserved that," Elliott told the BBC after the 1-0 win. "Tonight is a stepping stone in the right direction. This is the perfect way to go into the next game - full of confidence - and hopeful we can put it right at Anfield in the Premier League.
“I feel like I’ve been judged a bit on assists and goals, and it’s definitely something I’ve been working on. It felt like it was the right opportunity, and thankfully it came off today.
“It was a big sigh of relief to be honest because I feel like, personally, I haven’t been at my best since the World Cup.
"It's down to me to provide assists and score goals and I felt like I had the perfect opportunity to do that. It worked tonight."
On the whole, it was a vastly improved performance from the Reds as they were noticeably more combative in midfield - with Thiago Alcantara, Naby Keita and Stefan Bajcetic all catching the eye. It was a night which also saw Liverpool earn their first clean sheet since November.
The Reds host Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday morning, and Elliott is hopeful the positives from Tuesday evening's showing in the West Midlands can be taken into that must-win clash at Anfield.
He added: “The fans are a big help as well, they’re always by our side no matter what. Massive thanks from myself and the team for always sticking by us. We’ve got the best fans in the world, and we go into each and every game with the best support.
“For us it’s massive, and we just want to go out there and perform to the best of our abilities and put on a show for the travelling fans.
“I know it was freezing tonight, so a massive thanks. Hopefully we sent them home happy.”
"Brighton wasn't good enough - but this is a stepping stone and hopefully we can keep building on this. We just focus on the next game and as they come we just keep going and putting in the best performances we can."
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