U21s hero Elliott shows why he might have to leave Reds

There were a few minutes left on the clock, with England’s finest level against high-calibre opponents in Europe, when Harvey Elliott advanced on goal.

- Richard Jolly SENIOR FOOTBALL CORRESPONDENT

He took aim and, with clinical precision, turned match-winner. Not just in the semi-finals of the European Under-21 Championship, either; with a similar flair for late drama, Elliott condemned the eventual Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain to defeat in the Parc des Princes.

Perhaps it was sadly symbolic of his club season that even its finest moment counted for nothing. PSG eliminated Liverpool in the second leg, Elliott became a Premier League winner, but as a bit-part player. He only to add the right kind of medal from the U21 Euros, and if is Germany Stand in his way tomorrow, it will be as vice-captain, as talisman and perhaps unleashed tournament’s top scorer, as England’s and a talent the benches. After more of the previous 10 months sat on various benches, he has already played 385 in Premier League football last season, much the 360 minutes of Under-21 European Championship.

Elliott reflects the peculiarities of Under-21 football. A fringe figure at Anfield because of the talents around him, he is arguably propelled to greater prominence in age-group football because peers who play for more their clubs are picked by Thomas Tuchel and denied to Lee Carsley. Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke are all eligible for the Under-21s (even Jude Bellingham has potential right-wingers. They have been promoted, Elliott is) and been.