Harvey Elliott scored an outstanding solo goal when Blackburn lost 2-1 to Norwich on Saturday and Rovers fans feared a return to Liverpool in January.
It didn’t take long for Elliott to gain a foothold at Blackburn after taking out a surprise loan to Ewood Park at the end of the extended summer transfer window.
Two games later he scored one and assisted another in the 4-0 win against Coventry. The 17-year-old has remained a consistent threat since then and is a starter of choice for Tony Mowbray.
While he has been used in a number of roles lately, including on the left, as number 10, and even as a substitute during games, Elliott’s main position has been on the right.
After creating six chances for his teammates from the left in a 1-0 loss at Bristol City mid-week, the youngster returned to the right for a visit to Norwich on Saturday.
A reminder of it @ Rovers‘Harvey Elliott is ?????????. ? #EFL | #SkyBetChampionship pic.twitter.com/QPgQv5TM5L
– Sky Bet Championship (@SkyBetChamp) December 13, 2020
There Elliott shone again by breaking off Teemu Pukki’s opener with a breathtaking goal on the hour, picking up the ball wide and Jacob Sorensen moving out of the way to go for the goal.
In the box, he put nutmegs on Norwich center-back Grant Hanley before shooting through Michael McGovern with his left foot to equalize.
It was a moment of magic that counted cruelly for nothing when Pukki scored the winner for Norwich six minutes later, and it was highly acclaimed by Blackburn supporters, with some speculating on a possible mid-season loan recall:
Harvey Elliott is 17. Seventeen. And he’s just gone through Norwich’s defense like he’s been in the business for about 17 years. What a baller. Genius. #Rover
– George Nelson (@GeeNelsss) December 12, 2020
Harvey Elliott’s first touch needs a museum of its own.
– Mike Delap (@MikeyDelap) December 12, 2020
Harvey Elliott is the best 17 year old piece for #Rover since Phil Jones.
Not quite according to plan for him, though.
– Dean Jones (@DeanJones_) December 12, 2020
Harvey Elliott will actually be recalled in January pic.twitter.com/FW60EgWJT8
– Luke (@brfcIuke) December 12, 2020
It is unclear whether there is a recall option in Liverpool’s deal with Rovers, but following Diogo Jota’s knee injury – reports suggest the striker could miss two months – this is an interesting scenario.
Jurgen Klopp is unlikely to consider this, however, especially given Elliott’s good performance at Ewood Park.
So far this season, only five players have created more championship chances than the teen (30), with each player playing at least 100 minutes longer and up to 561 (or more than six full games).
Of those who play at least 1,000 minutes, only Norwich’s Emi Buendia (3.4) has on average more chances per 90 than Elliott (2.5), while the Liverpool loaner has on average the fourth most interceptions per 90 from any striker (0 , 7).
In simpler terms, Elliott has scored three goals to date and assisted four of 13 appearances for Rovers, averaging a goal contribution every 151.3 minutes – or a little more than one in a game and a half.
It would almost certainly be more beneficial to allow him to develop in Blackburn than to represent Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah in Anfield.
The next season, however, is an entirely different matter.
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