Harvey Elliott has returned to Liverpool’s first-team training today for the first time since September. The 18-year-old has been recovering from ankle surgery due to a dislocated ankle he suffered against Leeds United– a match in which the Reds won on the road, 0-3. Elliott dislocated his ankle when Leeds’ Center back, Pascal Struijk collided with him challenging for the ball.
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The injury was devastating for Elliott, who was just four matches into his Premier League career after a successful season on loan at Blackburn Rovers in the Championship. The injury looked particularly scary, but Elliott showed poise and maturity following the dislocated ankle and related ligament damage, posting to his Instagram page that he was focused on his recovery, and provided several rehabilitation updates along the way.
While Elliott likely won’t be ready for the Reds’ Carabao Cup second leg tie against Arsenal, his beginning training just 4 months after the injury is a very positive sign for the young Englishman. He can provide some creativity in the midfield- something that has been lacking as of late for the Reds, as they attempt to threaten Manchester City’s lead at the top of the Premier League table, and also compete for European glory. More importantly, he will continue to develop into the future face of English football, as Liverpool continues to make their midfield younger.
Elliott plugs in nicely alongside Curtis Jones as the future of Liverpool’s midfield, while 36-year-old James Milner’s contract expires at the conclusion of the ’21-’22 season, Liverpool must continue to look to the future. Upon Elliott’s return, the Reds will be able to continue to lay down the groundwork to keep that future bright, while Harvey Elliott looks to add an immediate spark and resume his first Premier League campaign.