Micah Richards says there’s ‘not a likelihood’ he would sell Harvey Elliott if he was in Liverpool’s position following the midfielder’s heroics for England at this summer’s European Under-21 Championship.
Elliott was named Player of the Tournament as England successfully defended their title from 2023, with the 22-year-old Liverpool man scoring five goals across the Young Lions’ triumphant campaign.
It was Elliott’s early strike that opened the scoring in Saturday’s dramatic final as Lee Carsley’s men recovered from an almighty second-half scare to return away 3-2 victors over Germany in Bratislava.
But while Elliott’s recent form at international level can’t be questioned, the teen has needed to be patient for normal first-team opportunities with Arne Slot’s Liverpool.
Across the whole lot of the Reds’ title-winning campaign, Elliott was limited to a complete of just two starts within the Premier League – and there have been some calls for the ex-Fulham man to go away and secure game-time elsewhere.
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Based on talkSPORT, the English champions can be prepared to let Elliott depart should they receive a proposal within the region of £40million for his services this summer.
It’s understood RB Leipzig and Newcastle United are keeping close tabs on Elliott’s situation, with the 2 clubs scouring the marketplace for midfield reinforcements in preparation for next season.
‘If I’m Liverpool, I’m not selling him. Not one bit! I’m not selling him!’ former Manchester City and England defender Richards said of Elliott on The Rest Is Football.
‘It’s just like the Cole Palmer situation when he was at Manchester City. Okay, you’ve got Phil Foden, you’ve got Kevin De Bruyne on the time and other young players coming through…
‘But I just think, if he [Elliott] could get Premier League team on loan for the season [then he should stay at Liverpool].
Richards believes Elliott can be the right long-term alternative for Mohamed Salah when the Egyptian brings an end to his stay at Anfield.
‘Salah signed a two-year deal and a yr from now he won’t be the identical player that we’ve been used to through the years,’ Richards added.
‘Elliott can play that position so well and I might just wait.
‘I wouldn’t do away with him now, not a likelihood.’
Host Gary Lineker, meanwhile, suggested there can be no shortage of potential suitors should Liverpool put Elliott up on the market this summer.
‘It’s an interesting decision for him because they’ve obviously brought other players in, Florian Wirtz has are available in who’s one other forward/midfield player,’ the ex-England striker said.
‘What a tournament he had. If it’s not going to occur for him at Liverpool, I feel there can be a bunch of clubs that will be keen to sign him.’
Chatting with Channel 4 after England’s defeat of Germany, Elliott said he needed to ‘show it at club level’ to provide himself a shot of a call-up to Thomas Tuchel’s senior squad.
‘It’s never going to be easy due to talent that’s within the team… world-class players from top to bottom,’ he said.
‘It’s about me working hard, trying to point out it at club level and hopefully getting the chance.
‘We’re thankful for him [Tuchel] coming out here and hopefully we placed on a show and who knows? It’s one in all those, you only must wait and see.’
Should Elliott leave Liverpool this summer?
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