Jurgen Klopp has played down fears that Harvey Elliott might join Liverpool’s ever-growing injury list despite replacing the England Under-21s international at half-time against Bournemouth.
The 19-year-old was one of the Reds’ star performers in a dominant showing at Anfield, and scored his first Premier League goal with a stunning long-range effort to double his side’s lead after just six minutes. However, he was replaced by Fabio Carvalho at the break, and was seen limping to take his place on the bench ahead of the restart.
Klopp was only able to make one change to his starting XI against the Cherries after Monday’s disappointing loss to Manchester United with nine players currently sidelined through injury and with Darwin Nunez also ruled out through suspension. As a result the German confirmed on Friday that Liverpool would now be looking to sign a new midfielder before Thursday’s transfer deadline if possible.
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But despite Elliott limping off against Bournemouth, Klopp was hopeful that his injury list and need for a new recruit hadn’t increased further.
“Harvey felt just a little bit,” the German told reporters after the final whistle. “In no other game we would take him off but when 5-0 up, we thought if that’s not the moment, then the moment will never come again.
“Nothing after the game. The assessment is good. He should be completely fine.”
Klopp was also full of praise for Roberto Firmino after the final whistle after Brazilian scored a brace and claimed a hat-trick of assists. The forward had been criticised for his goal return in recent years and performances so far this season, but his manager was delighted by his response against Bournemouth.
“(Firmino was) top. Top. Top,” he said. “In a bunch of outstanding football players and top performances today, I loved Robbo’s impact for example, he makes all the difference for us when he’s that lively.
“But Bobby yes. I know it is not the moment to talk about individual performances when you lose at Old Trafford but he played a really good game there. We had 70% possession there. Without Bobby, it would probably have been 49%. He was everywhere.
“But today was a completely different game. He played higher up the pitch, more between the centre-halves, dropping yes, but in different areas between the lines. Underlapping and arriving in the box.
“Being part of the massive chance in the first half, one-two with Harvey, back-heel. That is Bobby Firmino and how we all know him. For him, it was massive game to get off the chest today and the timing couldn’t have been better to be honest.”
