Harvey Elliott‘s start against Brighton & Hove Albion on Monday could have been his last as a Liverpool player, Reds transfer expert David Lynch has insisted.
The champions were beaten 3-2 by Brighton despite twice taking the lead, though Elliott did manage to score and provide an assist on the night.
Boss Arne Slot handed the attacker his second start of the Premier League season, and his limited playing time has led to speculation that he could leave Anfield in the summer.
Elliott spoke after the Brighton game but was vague about his future, and Lynch argued that the attacker was hinting at a possible exit, when he told Sports Mole: “It’s a notable shift in tone. He spoke to the Echo a few weeks back and sounded like someone who wanted to stay and fight, and it’s just very interesting that things seem to have shifted with him.
“I wonder whether there’s been a conversation behind the scenes and a realisation that opportunities still aren’t going to be there next season, particularly with the business that Liverpool will do. [An exit] feels likely after reading those quotes, and that’s sad if he does. It makes sense for Liverpool, and for him at the age he is now, it’s probably best to go out and play.
“They just can’t give Harvey Elliott the time he needs on the pitch to fulfil his potential completely, so it does seem to be heading towards an exit. Liverpool will be asking for a sizeable fee because I think they’ll know just how good he is. He might not fit into this team, but he’s an unbelievably young footballer, so he won’t be coming cheap and they won’t be giving him away.”
Elliott had previously expressed his desire to stay at Liverpool due to the fact he is a boyhood fan, but with Slot not trusting him enough to start, it would not be surprising if he sought a move elsewhere.
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Who else could leave the club?
Centre-back Jarell Quansah was also selected to start against Brighton, though it was just the fourth time he featured from the first whistle in the Premier League, with two of those starts coming after the title was already secured.
The 22-year-old has found it difficult to break into the first team ahead of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, and there is an argument that he would have been fourth choice behind Joe Gomez had the latter not suffered a serious hamstring injury.
Lynch expressed his belief that Quansah will have a number of suitors should he depart, though reiterated that the timing of any bid would be important for deciding his fate, telling Sports Mole: “There’s definitely interest in him, which gives Liverpool a decision to make, and it’s my understanding that the player himself would quite like to make that move if there’s something there.
“You’ve got that combination of factors that Liverpool could bank pure profit in PSR terms and he’s not high up the manager’s plans, and therefore they would be willing to make the sale – and there is interest. That’s a combination of factors that put you towards a sale.
“The only thing, and this goes to Harvey Elliott as well, is that a lot depends on what they’re able to do in terms of signings. It makes no sense to let Quansah go if you don’t have a replacement. It makes no sense to let Harvey Elliott go if you don’t have someone who can fulfil his role in the squad. Also, [Liverpool will want to avoid] a critical mass of exits.”
If Gomez was sold in the summer, it would be difficult to justify allowing Quansah to leave given they would have to then replace two defenders while also looking to add a right-back, a left-back and find reinforcements for their forward line.
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Chiesa’s future is also in doubt
Slot chose to use Federico Chiesa up front against Brighton, with the Italian making his first start of the season in the Premier League.
The 27-year-old was the club’s only summer signing but has consistently been linked with moves back to Italy, and it is difficult to see him being part of the squad for their title defence.
Speaking to Sports Mole, Lynch emphasised that Slot would have utilised him in attack more often if he had faith in him, saying: “Chiesa in particular – I saw the quotes from the embargoed section of the press conference ahead of this game, where Arne Slot suggested that Chiesa might have a future at Liverpool, but I don’t believe him on that front.
“He can’t want another season like this where he’s completely on the sidelines. He’s been fit for a long time and he’s still not been playing. He can’t get in on the left, he can’t get in on the right, and then he makes his first Premier League start finally yesterday, but that’s through the central role where we know Liverpool are going to look to strengthen this summer.
“Slot doesn’t fancy him ahead of his other options and he’s not someone who’s going to get in. You look at his performance yesterday and I don’t want to be too harsh because he’s lacking in rhythm and he’s not sharp at the moment, but he’s not playing for a reason. It’s to do with what’s been seen on the training ground, and I’m guessing it’s pretty similar to what we saw last night.”
Chiesa only produced one shot against Brighton, while also failing to complete a dribble, playing just five passes and losing six of his eight duels, and he could be headed for the exit door given has not impressed in his limited minutes.
