Arne Slot will be watching Liverpool’s performances with interest ahead of his expected appointment.
These past few weeks have made interesting viewing if you are a newcomer, even if the performances and results weren’t what Liverpool fans wanted to see.
At one point, it looked like Jurgen Klopp might head for the exit door with numerous trophies under his belt.
But the Premier League title is heading to either Arsenal or Manchester City, including disappointing exits in the Europa League and the FA Cup.
At a minimum, if Slot is to maintain Liverpool’s standing in the Champions League places, then he is going to need his senior players from Mohamed Salah to Virgil van Dijk to shine.
But one other player who he could also be calling upon is rising star, Harvey Elliott.
The 21-year-old scored a ’sensational’ goal during Liverpool’s 4-2 win over Tottenham on Sunday, according to Glenn Hoddle.
The England legend added that he ‘loves the way’ Elliott plays and he highlighted how he always plays with his ‘head up’, as he told Premier League Productions (05/05/24 at 6:50 pm).
But Hoddle thinks that the left-footed superstar might need to ‘prove’ that he is worthy of more minutes under Slot when he arrives.
Harvey Elliott under Arne Slot next season
“I think the reason that is better when Bentancur goes to close him, he takes the ball backwards, the ball is actually going backwards away from the goal and to get his foot around it by putting in that top corner,” said Hoddle.
“A sensational finish. It wasn’t like it was going square the ball or in front – wow, what a shot. What a strike.
“He’s a terrific player. When he came on the scene, you think ‘he is there for the long term’. He is a player. He has the ability. He plays with his head up, picks passes and he has a finish in him. To a certain degree, he is a youngster coming into that team. The manager loves him. You can tell that. He has a great relationship with him. But the manager is going. As a youngster you are thinking ‘I have to start all over again, with a new manager and impress and prove to him that I am worthy of a longer stint in the team’ He is going to get better. He can improve on his right foot. He has to really improve on his right foot to become a top, top player. But the potential is there. I love the way he plays.”
Harvey Elliott’s game time
Liverpool’s midfield has gone through a transitional period this season and it is still re-shaping itself.
You have to question why Elliott didn’t play more because he certainly deserved it, with just over 1000 minutes of Premier League football played.
READ MORE: How Jurgen Klopp feels about Liverpool deciding not to throw him a goodbye parade through the city
But that’s where Slot comes into the picture and you hope he has Elliott part of his long-term plans.
Whether it’s being as a number eight or on the right side cutting onto his left foot, he can play and perform in both of those positions.