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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Jake Bayliss

'One of the main reasons' - Harvey Elliott claim made after £9.5m Liverpool transfer

Liverpool legend Ian Rush has admitted he was “made up” for Harvey Elliott after the teenager made his return from injury.

Coming on as a substitute against Cardiff City in the FA Cup last weekend, the 18-year-old marked his comeback with an impressive turn and finish in front of the Kop.

Elliott continued his successful week as he came off the bench once again to replace Curtis Jones on the hour mark in Liverpool’s 2-0 league win over Leicester on Thursday night.

With the youngster making his way back into Jurgen Klopp’s side, Rush explained the emotions around Anfield as he made his return.

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“I was made up for Harvey Elliott marking his comeback from an awful injury with a lovely goal against Cardiff last weekend,” the former striker told Gambling.com .

“To score your first goal in front of the Kop is something special but to do it in the manner he did gave it that extra little bit of beauty.

“Harvey has always been a big Liverpool fan so I know he will have been dreaming of that moment for most of his young life and the fact that it came on his first game back after five months out must have been an amazing feeling.

“I was at the game myself and I saw the reaction of his dad, Scott, so I know it was an emotional occasion for the whole family.”

Elliott was starting his third consecutive league game for the Reds when he suffered his ankle injury against Leeds in September.

Having staked his claim to be part of Liverpool’s midfield trio, Rush has sent a reminder that the starlet initially forged his reputation as a winger.

While on loan at Blackburn last season, Elliott registered seven goals and 11 assists with Rush remarking on the teenager’s versatility and Xherdan Shaqiri’s subsequent departure.

“What works in Harvey’s favour is that he’s very versatile,” Rush continued.

“His best position is arguably on the right, but that’s Salah’s flank, although I think the two of them actually link up pretty well when they’re on the pitch together.

“His talent is one of the main reasons Klopp was willing to let Xherdan Shaqiri go last summer – he got £9.5million for Shaqiri and already had a better replacement in his ranks with Harvey, so that just goes to show you how much Klopp believes in him.”

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