Is Harvey Elliott A Midfielder Or A Winger?

Harvey Elliott is just 20 years old but has become an important member of Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool squad for the last couple of years. 

The Englishman joined Liverpool at 16 years of age from Fulham and has racked up 76 appearances for the Merseyside club and will most likely break the 100-appearance barrier this season. That’s a remarkable achievement for someone as young as Elliott and to do it at a club that is challenging for major trophies is all the more impressive.

He’s made a bright start to the 2022/23 season in a super-sub role where his energy, pressing and passing ability damages the tired opponent for the last 25-30 minutes of the match. 

He’s won over many Liverpool fans but one question remains, where is Harvey Elliott’s best position?

He’s A Winger

Elliott had arrived at Liverpool as a right winger and to many, the potential long-term replacement of Mohamed Salah. While his frame is slight, his talent on the ball is undeniable with a glorious first touch and an ability to manipulate the ball in what he wants.

His directness and penchant to take players on is an important attribute in a winger whose job it is to cause havoc and create something for himself as well as his teammates.

While he’s not blessed with great pace, there are plenty of wingers who’ve reached the top level without possessing rapid speed and Elliott no doubt has the talent to reach it.

Despite all the signings Liverpool have made in the last few years, Salah remains the only high-profile right winger in the squad which suggests Klopp has unwavering faith in Elliott to take over that role when the Egyptian finally calls time on his Liverpool career.

He’s A Midfielder

While Klopp played Elliott in the wing position in his first season at the club, he soon began attempting to mould him into a midfielder which certainly brought forth questions from fans considering Elliott’s size and lack of physicality.

The Liverpool boss must have seen something in the Englishman that won him over as a potential midfielder which is a position Elliott has played in for the last three years when he takes the field for Liverpool.

His unrelenting pressing and ability to dribble with the ball as well as protect it in the middle of the pitch are attributes that Klopp places tremendous importance on especially with Liverpool’s penchant for build-up play.

While he still lacks physicality which could be exposed against better opponents, his desire and work rate make him an option for Klopp and he’s certainly used him as Elliott has featured in seven of Liverpool’s first nine league fixtures as well as playing 90 minutes in their Europa League wins against LASK and Union SG.

It’s still so early in Elliott’s career but for the time being Klopp sees him as a bonafide midfielder.

LFC Globe Verdict

Harvey Elliott is a midfielder and he showed that in his inspired performance in Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final.

His ability to press relentlessly and win challenges against the likes of Moisés Caicedo, Conor Gallagher, and Enzo Fernández was a major aspect of Liverpool’s impressive performance.

His footballing adaptation at Anfield has been nothing short of spectacular and long may it continue in the post-Klopp era at Liverpool.