Liverpool’s success this season has been as much about the players making an impact from the bench as it has the first eleven. As well as investing in the midfield over the summer, Jürgen Klopp has also got the best out of the club’s young players, with both Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott enjoying their best campaigns yet.
Elliott, although without as much game time as Jones, has also been thriving on the international stage for England at youth level. His performances suggest that it won’t be long before he receives his senior call-up, given his development is following a similar path to two of the country’s most highly-rated young players in Phil Foden and Cole Palmer.
The duo, who are both products of Manchester City’s academy, are also enjoying excellent form this season. Foden has contributed to 11 goals in 20 Premier League games so far, enjoying bright spells across attacking midfield areas. Palmer, although with figures inflated by several penalty goals, has still contributed to 13 in 17 league matches.
Of course, Elliott hasn’t quite surpassed them in terms of production just yet, but certain metrics indicate that he isn’t far away — and is even better than them in some areas. Liverpool wouldn’t want to swap him.
FBref reveals how the Liverpool attacking midfielder is performing better both in progressive carries and progressive passes. Elliott averages 8.48 progressive passes per game in comparison to 7.32 from Palmer, and 4.66 from Foden. That’s a level from the 20-year-old that sees him in the 94th percentile against all midfielders.
Elliott’s 1.96 key passes per game is marginally behind Palmer’s 2.03, while Foden averages the most with 2.36. That gap will likely close as Elliott gets older.
That’s promising for Liverpool fans, with the expectation that he will also eventually develop his ability in front of goal. One goal and one assist have come from 16 total Premier League appearances, though they have only added up to 401 minutes.
His important matchwinner against Crystal Palace has helped the Reds to the top of the league and has just been one standout moment of multiple bright displays. Meanwhile, he has also impressed with his movement off the ball.
Elliott’s performances, which have also been replicated on the international stage with the England U21s, see him already on a path to the senior team. The recent big move from Palmer to Chelsea, and glowing performances of Foden show that it’s a valuable blueprint to follow, and Klopp’s influence will help him reach his ceiling.
While a European Championships call-up this summer is more likely for Curtis Jones than it is for Elliott, both names could certainly be on the England squad list for the 2026 World Cup. At Anfield, the future is bright.
