Jason McAteer raves about Liverpool player who is ‘going to be an absolute superstar’

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Former Liverpool midfielder Jason McAteer has told Off The Ball that Harvey Elliott has the potential to be the Reds’ very own version of Xavi or Andres Iniesta.

The Barcelona duo were arguably the best two midfielders of their generation and McAteer sees Elliott fulfilling such a role for Liverpool.

Last season, Jurgen Klopp utilised the teenager in cup competitions and clearly he looks a big player for the future.

McAteer has been raving about the youngster and backs him to go all the way to the top of the game.

He told Off The Ball: “Obviously we have got Harvey Elliott – who is going to be an absolute superstar.

“He’s 17…what an attitude, what a player. He’s playing wide at the minute but I can see him slotting into that midfield central area. Maybe as a Xavi or an Iniesta type player.

“Elliott can play with both feet. He’s got that ability to see things, to open things up, to play that little killer pass.

“What I love about him is spends longer than five seconds on the ball. He knows what he is doing. He knows what he sees beforehand.”

Elliott does look to have his head screwed on and with the right level of application, he could become a star.

The teenager made eight appearances for the first-team last season and 2020/21 could be even more fruitful in terms of opportunities.

Playing him in central midfield is an interesting one though and there’s no suggestion that Klopp is thinking of doing that.

Versatile

McAteer is perhaps right though in the sense that Elliott’s ability on the ball does give Klopp a nice headache to have.

The ex-Fulham youngster is comfortable in possession, can pick passes out all over the park and boasts the energy to get around the pitch with ease.

Liverpool still don’t know what compensation they will have to pay Fulham for Elliott. The Independent reported that the Cottagers wanted £10 million for the player and it remains to be seen whether that will be the case.

It’ll be interesting to see whether Klopp fancies him as a midfielder, or whether he sees him one day replacing Mohamed Salah or Sadio Mane on the flanks.

The comparison to Xavi and Iniesta is massive and McAteer clearly rates the Liverpool wizard highly.

If Elliott becomes just half as good as the ex-Barcelona pairing, Liverpool would surely be delighted.