Harvey Elliott has been sensational for Blackburn Rovers this season and manager Anthony Mowbray has told sporting director Michael Edwards that he’d like to hold onto the youngster next season.
In 22 starts for the Rovers, the Liverpool academy star has 5 goals and 11 assists with Emi Buendia the only player in the whole division directly setting up more goals in the Championship this season.
Elliott only turned 18 a week and a half ago which really underlines how impressive he has been this term.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 26: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Harvey Elliott of Liverpool during a training session at Melwood Training Ground on September 26, 2020 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Blackburn manager Anthony Mowbray has already personally informed Michael Edwards that he’d like to keep Elliott beyond the summer. Liverpool are likely to be open to the idea given how Blackburn have given the young player the game time he needs while also not overusing him which can lead to fatigue and injury.
It’s important to remember that this is Elliott’s first full season as a senior player and while he’s incredibly gifted, he’s only just turned 18. The Reds don’t feel the need to rush him into the first team especially given how Ben Woodburn’s star faded so quickly after his Liverpool debut.
Anfield Central has also been told that the ideal scenario would be for him to go out on loan in the Premier League but they understand that it would be more challenging to get the assurances over game time they would need.
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 19: Harvey Elliott of Blackburn runs past Josh Tymon of Blackburn during the Sky Bet Championship match between Stoke City and Blackburn Rovers at Bet365 Stadium on December 19, 2020 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
There would be no use in loaning him out to a side like Southampton only for him to sit on the bench for most of the season which would limit his scope for development whereas another stint in the Championship would bring the opportunity to build on his impressive first year as a professional footballer before making the step up to the Liverpool first team in the 2022/23 season when he would be 20 years old.
Liverpool are in a strong position as Elliott understands his position and isn’t getting impatient which could force the Reds’ hand and cause them to make a mistake.
