Liverpool star Harvey Elliott sends 'selfish' message to new boss Arne Slot

Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott has revealed that he cut short his summer holiday in Ibiza, where he was watching Scottish DJ Calvin Harris, to focus on his football career. The 21-year-old midfielder feels he is close to becoming a key player for the Reds, despite previous setbacks due to injuries and competition from senior players.

With new manager Arne Slot at the helm, Elliott believes this season is his time to shine. “I think it’s just to make it a bit more about myself and maybe be a bit more selfish in certain ways,” said Elliott, who joined Liverpool from Fulham in 2019.

Despite his personal ambitions, Elliott insists his team spirit remains strong. Speaking during the Reds’ pre-season tour, he said: “I want to play for the team and the badge, I love the club and that is never going to leave me.”

He also recognises the need for self-improvement: “If I am not performing and not training very well I can’t look at anyone other than myself.”

Eager to impress Slot, Elliott balanced his Ibiza holiday with training sessions during the day before heading out to see Harris perform in the evening.

The DJ has become a familiar figure among the Liverpool squad, after Andy Robertson brought him in to entertain during their 2022 trophy parade following two domestic cup triumphs.

I went to see him a couple of times,” Elliott added. “It was nice to unwind, went away with one of my close friends Tyler, we had a training programme together and pushed each other to get into the best possible shape. It was enjoyable but felt like I was ready and I was half-bored as well, so I just wanted to come back.”

Despite being only 21, Elliott has already racked up 119 appearances for Liverpool, and he’s made it clear that he’s not content with being a mere substitute.

With a new manager at the helm Elliott knows what he must do to secure a more prominent role: “I think I just need to be myself,” he stated confidently.

“I just need to put the performances in on the pitch and as I said if there is one person to blame then it is me and no-one else and I just need to take my opportunity and cement my place in the team.”

Elliott, who aside from a loan spell at Blackburn Rovers in the 2020-21 season, has been with Liverpool for five years, is now one of the more seasoned players in the squad. On this pre-season tour, only a handful of teammates, including Robertson, Mo Salah, Diogo Jota, and Curtis Jones, have clocked more games than him.

Looking ahead to the new season, Elliott aims to be a leader within the youthful Liverpool group: “This pre-season we have a younger group so I want to be that voice, I want them to come to me if they have anything to speak about or questions,” he said. “I have been there before, I was a young lad in a massive team.

“I always had players around me that helped me out so I feel like it’s kind of my job now to help in any way I can that is possible.

“I feel like this is my time to really kick on and really achieve what I want to achieve.

“From the club’s perspective as well, trophy-wise, you know we’re back in the Champions League now and it is all exciting.

“So we just need to trust the manager, trust the setup and the tactics and when we’re out on the pitch, just make sure we apply it.”