Owen Hargreaves has compared Harvey Elliott to Martin Odegaard following Liverpool’s Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur.
The 21-year-old midfielder fired Jurgen Klopp’s side to a 4-2 win over Spurs at Anfield on Sunday afternoon, whipping the ball into the top left-hand corner from range. Despite struggling for opportunities at the start of the season, Elliott has recently become a key player for the Reds.
The England Under-21 international has started three of Liverpool’s last four games in the Premier League, directly contributing three goals. Elliott featured alongside Alexis Mac Allister and Wataru Endo in the middle of the park at the weekend, but he’s also operated as a right-winger this season.
Despite having left many a full-back in his wake, Hargreaves believes the youngster performs best in the number ten role. Speaking on Premier League Productions, the former Manchester United ace likened Elliott to Odegaard.
He said: “When you get into certain positions on a pitch, you have pictures.
“If you are there, left-footed, he is going to whip that to the back post. I love Harvey Elliott. I think he could be like an Odegaard for Liverpool. I don’t see him as a wide player. I see him central.
“When he gets into here (number ten role), he gets a picture. The top players do. He knows ‘I am going to whip that into the top corner’. It sounds easy and he made it look easy. It’s a brilliant finish from a fabulous young player. Absolutely fabulous.”
In an interview with Match of the Day after the 4-2 win over Spurs on Sunday, Elliott thanked Klopp for helping him become the player he’s become. He said: “I’m not really one to do that really. It is my dream to go out and play football, especially in a Liverpool shirt.
“The games I don’t start, I’m upset and annoyed but I’m here for the team to make sure that when I come on, I make the impact and if I start, I make the impact. Maybe we can have that conversation towards the end but as I said, I’m just honoured and I’m just very grateful for all opportunities he has gave me.”
