If the early weeks of the Premier League season were anything to go by, Liverpool looked to have a teenage sensation on their hands in the shape of Harvey Elliott.
The young midfielder featured in all four of the first four games of the season. He came on as a late substitute against Norwich City and then went on to start the next three games, with the last of those coming against Leeds United at Elland Road.
Devastatingly for Elliott, he dislocated his ankle as Pascal Struijk made a sliding tackle where he appeared to claim the ball cleanly, only for his trailing leg to catch the teenager. This caused him to fall and his ankle twisted underneath him as the full weight of his body came down on his leg.
As such, a player who looked set to star for Liverpool has missed 18 Premier League games, alongside the chance to be involved in a run to the Carabao Cup final and all the Champions League group games.
However, Jurgen Klopp revealed that Elliott would return to action in the FA Cup this weekend.
Now that the midfielder's journey back to fitness is complete, here's how he bounced back from such a huge set back so early in his career.
With an injury like the one Elliott went through, surgery was the only way forward if he was to return to action.
Liverpool confirmed that the surgery was successful, whilst the player took to his Instagram to thank the fans inside Elland Road for their reaction as he was carried from the field, as well as letting the world know that he didn't blame Struijk for what was a freak occurrence:
"Wasn't his fault what so ever. Neither was it a red card just a freak accident but these things happen in football. I'll be back stronger 100 per cent.
"Thanks for all the support."
A month later, Elliott was rehabbing on the exercise bikes at Liverpool's training ground and it wasn't long after that he was able to do drill work without contact.
James Milner praised the 18-year-old, noting his maturity:
"I was talking about mental strength before, as soon as it happened, the things he was saying, he talks like he's been through it all before and he's a 30-odd-year-old player," said the former Leeds man.
Now he looks set to complete his comeback fewer than five months after he sustained an injury that at the time looked like it might end his season. Anybody who witnessed what was such a horrific injury will surely wish the teenager well in his return.
