This week has been another good break for Liverpool’s international players.
With plenty of them in action last night, there were a number of success stories to be enjoyed. Conor Bradley scoring his first goal for Northern Ireland was perhaps the pick of the bunch.
Besides Bradley though, Liverpool have had a handful of other youngsters involved this week. Lewis Koumas has been praised for his work with Wales U21s, while 18-year-old Kyle Kelly made his full senior debut for St Kitts and Nevis.
And as usual, Harvey Elliott, Tyler Morton and Jarell Quansah were away with England U21s. After convincing wins over Azerbaijan and Luxembourg, manager Lee Carsley had special praise for one of the Reds trio.
Liverpool star impressing in training
In truth, this week was not much of a test for the Young Lions. With their squad featuring a number of established Premier League players, they were always going to have far too much for their two opponents.
That’s exactly what happened, and right at the heart of it all was Liverpool’s No.19. Indeed, Elliott could count himself mightily unlucky to have missed out on a senior national team call-up.
But having shaken off that disappointment, the 20-year-old got down to work. With two goals and two assists in two matches, Elliott staked his claim to Gareth Southgate yet again.
If Southgate is oblivious to the Reds’ midfielder’s good work though, then U21s boss Carsley is not. Speaking to The Athletic after yesterday’s thrashing of Luxembourg, the former Everton midfielder hailed Elliott’s work-rate and quality in training.
“Even for his age, he is a senior player within in our team as he has done a campaign, he is playing really well at Liverpool and is a brilliant example,” Carsley raves.
“He trains so hard every day. It’s good to see he’s getting his rewards.”
Will Harvey Elliott get an England call-up
With the Euros not too far away now, it feels like Elliott might just miss out on a place in Southgate’s squad. As the recent call-up for Kobbie Mainoo showed though, the England manager can occasionally surprise with his selections.
And according to Carsley, Elliott couldn’t be doing any more than he is to follow in Mainoo’s footsteps.
“I think he’s doing all he can,” says the coach. “You put yourself in the frame by playing week in, week out at Liverpool, which is going to be a brilliant end to the season now. Hopefully he can keep that form up and give himself an opportunity.”
Elliott really is a phenomenal example to the young players both for club and country. It’s about time he got the chance to make the step up he deserves.