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Liverpool Echo

Sport

Ian Doyle

Harvey Elliott may need a step back for Liverpool midfield to move forward

Harvey Elliott Liverpool Thiago Alcantara Jurgen Klopp Fabinho Ajax Diogo Jota Joel Matip Anfield (Organization)

It was akin to a seasoned band getting back together to rehearse after a lengthy hiatus.

The personnel were largely in place, the instruments primed, the songbook fully memorised. But there were obvious signs of beats being missed and matters out of tune before something approaching a groove was hit on occasionally.

Such was the case for Liverpool against Ajax on Tuesday as they took the first step on the road to Champions League redemption and dragging their inconsistent campaign back on track.

Yes, the performance wasn't wholly convincing, nowhere near as tight and impressive as has become the norm. However, they hit far more high notes than during last Wednesday's Neapolitan nightmare.

The subsequent days of hard talking and intense analysis following the harrowing events at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona have already started to bear fruit. As Joel Matip indicated earlier this week, it isn't just one problem Liverpool are having to address but several.

They made progress with a few. Diogo Jota offered greater thrust and physical presence down the centre of the attack, Kostas Tsimikas provided more threat from set-pieces and Matip himself introduced increased calm and assurance to the defence.

There remains, though, one issue that continues to linger most prominently for Jurgen Klopp - the midfield. And one area in particular.

The returning Thiago Alcantara was the game's most outstanding performer, his combination of passing and pressing setting the tempo and giving Liverpool an extra dimension in the engine room that has simply not been there for much of the campaign.

And the manner in which the Spaniard dropped alongside Fabinho in a defensive midfield duo during the final quarter of the game highlighted a possible different tactical approach that could now realistically be open to Klopp, giving the option of unpredictability Liverpool's coaching staff are acutely aware is required.

But if Thiago and Fabinho - who have still lost only twice when starting together - deliver a fine balance of defensive cover and passing thrust to the central and left-hand side of the midfield, the other flank is causing more concern.

This is not to dismiss the efforts of Harvey Elliott, who has been one of Liverpool's better performers this season. However, it was noticeable on Tuesday that, similar to against Napoli last week, the game largely passed the youngster by. Elliott, with 51 touches before being replaced on 65 minutes, certainly had enough opportunity on the ball, but his contribution rarely made a significant impact going forward.

Then, of course, there is his defensive output. Elliott cannot be held responsible for Trent Alexander-Arnold again ball-watching to allow the opposition to score for the second time in a week, but there's little doubt the right-back is more exposed when relying on the 19-year-old for defensive protection, particularly with Mohamed Salah ahead of him - albeit with the Egyptian showing in recent weeks an appetite for the dirty work.

Having started just 13 games at the top level as a midfielder, it shouldn't be a huge surprise Elliott is very much wet behind the ears regards the defensive aspects of the role, not least regards positioning. And while the only way to improve is to gain experience - his youthful enthusiasm helps counter the advancing years of many team-mates - that should ideally be done at opportune moments. Liverpool shouldn't be relying on the teenager so early in his Anfield career.

Compared to the start of last season, when Elliott briefly revelled in a fully-functioning Reds side, the last few weeks have been a much tougher proposition.

And while the youngster would surely benefit from further time alongside both Thiago and Fabinho, the problem for Klopp is there haven't had many alternatives. Jordan Henderson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and Curtis Jones, who all played numerous times last season in the right-hand midfield role, are injured while James Milner has already started more often this term than is ideal for a player approaching their 37th birthday.

Loan signing Arthur Melo could potentially offer a solution. And while Thiago can effortlessly switch from left to right, it would be overburdening Elliott to make the opposite switch.

With Liverpool now not in action for another two-and-a-half weeks, there is a possibility at least one of the crocked crew is back available for the Premier League visit of Brighton and Hove Albion. It could help Klopp start getting a tune out of what is becoming a head-scratcher of a position.

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