Rio Ferdinand reacts after Harvey Elliott makes Liverpool return

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Rio Ferdinand has told his YouTube channel that he sees Harvey Elliott having a huge future after the youngster made his return to the Liverpool side in their FA Cup win at the weekend.

Elliott had spent nearly five months out of the Reds side after dislocating his ankle away at Leeds in September. The injury was all the more agonising as it came just as the 18-year-old was proving that he is definitely good enough for the first-team fold at Anfield.

Obviously, with an injury as serious as Elliott’s, there was always going to be concerns regarding how he would get on upon his return.

There are no guarantees that any youngster is going to realise their full potential. And that is before you factor in such a devastating injury.

However, Elliott looks ready to make up for lost time as he came on in the FA Cup tie with Cardiff City on Sunday. It was the teenager who scored Liverpool’s third goal in their win.

The manner of the goal would not have mattered given the circumstances. But it was unquestionably a moment of brilliance from the former Fulham starlet.

And Ferdinand has backed Elliott to kick on from here. He suggested that he expects him to become one of the best in the Premier League in the years to come.

“I messaged him when he got injured at the time and just wished him well and [told him to] keep his chin up,” he told his YouTube channel.

“I think this kid has got a huge, huge, huge future. That’s stating the obvious a little bit, but I think he’s going to be one of the standout English players definitely in the years to come.”

Elliott will be determined to use injury as a positive after outstanding start to Liverpool career

Elliott proved in the weeks following his injury that he is a class act. He took to social media on several occasions to defend Pascal Struijk. The Leeds defender was sent off for the challenge that led to the injury.

Elliott insisted that it was not a red card.

That would suggest that Klopp would not have needed to worry about his attitude anyway. But obviously, most 18-year-olds would be forgiven for getting a little carried away playing in this Liverpool side.

If anything, the injury has somehow left Elliott even more appreciative about playing for the Reds. He looks determined to turn the situation into a positive.

And Liverpool look set to benefit.