Harvey Elliott says Liverpool’s midfield will embrace the challenge of new signings in that department this summer - because it makes the team even stronger.
It has been an open secret for several months that Reds boss Jurgen Klopp will plunge into the transfer market to sign at least two new top class midfielders, suggesting this week: “We need the right players and that is what we will get.”
Now Elliott, who at 20 is seen as the future of Klopp’s team, has become the first of Liverpool ’s midfield to speak openly about the prospect of more competition, and he insisted it can only drive the team on, with world class stars incoming.
“Whoever comes in they will have unbelievable talent because it is a big club and it's always going to be hard but you need to reflect on the situation, stay level-headed and wait for your opportunity,” he admitted. “More competition drives you on to make sure you are the best, to work as hard as you possibly can in training and take your opportunity in games. It's more competition but it's good for everyone.”
Elliott starred alongside 22 year-old Curtis Jones as they romped to a 3-0 lead over Spurs after just 15 minutes on Sunday, but then old weaknesses returned as the visitors staged a dramatic fightback.
That again prompted questions in some quarters about new signings, and the England U21 star was completely open about the prospect of new signings in his position, revealing it will happen this summer.
“With the new lads coming in I want to help them out if they need me at any given time, so it's nice for them to know they have people around them to look after them,” he said.
“Whatever happens happens and I'll make sure I work extra hard to prove myself - I’ll be working as hard as I possibly can to show the manager and coaching staff I can play.”
Elliott was in light-hearted mood after the thrilling encounter with Spurs, joking that the team are now waiting on news from medics about the extent of Klopp’s injury, after he pulled a hamstring celebrating Diogo Jota’s injury!
But he did admit that tense finale should never have happened, admitting that Liverpool let up on Spurs when they should have gone for the kill at 3-0 up.
“Sometimes we don't half make it hard for ourselves. We started the game unbelievably well, got three goals, and personally I think we took our foot off the gas a little bit,” he said.
“We allowed them to play a bit more football while not playing football ourselves, causing ourselves a lot of problems. It's a tough one to explain. It's not lack of concentration.
“It's always a hard situation because emotions are high, performing well and then we just decide to switch and didn't do our game-plan.
“We decided to keep the ball and I felt it was a bit slow in the way we moved it around. That's something we need to snap out of.”
Elliott though, is adamant the old Liverpool are on their way back - which could be big news for next season: “For me the team feels a bit different, the way we are pressing and the way we are defending.
“It feels like a massive team again and we have to make sure we come through and keep this momentum going (next season).”
