Press conferenceHarvey Elliott: I want to establish myself and kick my game on

The midfielder was speaking at a press conference ahead of the Reds’ Europa League clash with Union SG on Thursday night, where he discussed the battle for places within Jürgen Klopp’s squad.

And Elliott explained why the arrival of signings such as Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch has helped the commitment to keeping standards high at Anfield.

“You see the talent that we’ve brought in and the talent already around the club, and you can go through many, many names,” said the England U21 international in Belgium.

“But it’s a healthy competition, healthy relationships between the players, and we are always wanting to drive each other on. No-one is being selfish in that aspect of ‘I want to play’, we are all there to support each other and make a difference when called upon.

“I feel like that’s what is good about this team, we are as a team throughout the whole season, and we’re all together 1,000 per cent. That’s what makes it special.”

Elliott himself has enjoyed a strong campaign, delivering a string of impressive performances and, most recently, securing three points for his side with a stunning late winner at Crystal Palace last weekend.

The 20-year-old says he is eager to continue influencing games for Klopp’s team, whether as a starter or, as at Selhurst Park, coming off the substitutes’ bench.

“It is part of the job, to be honest,” he said. “You look at the squad and we have world-class players, but it’s about making sure I take the opportunities and establish myself.

“When I get these chances to go out and play, I have to make sure I affect the game well and maybe bring something different to the team.

“I always need to be patient in my career. It’s not going to be straightforward. There are always going to be ups and downs, but you just need to keep working hard.”

The 2-1 comeback victory over Palace was one of a number of games this season that Elliott has impacted from the bench, a fact the No.19 is well aware of – though his primary aim is of course to start matches.

“For me, I don’t really want to be known as a super-sub,” he said.

“It’s a great headline, it’s a nice one, but at the same time I want to be in the team. It’s time to establish myself in that position again and hopefully get a good run of games.

“But at the same time I need to be patient as well and maybe be the super-sub as well. I need to keep enjoying my football, play with a smile and if it’s as a super-sub, then fine, I’ll happily come on and do whatever I can for the team.

“I am just happy to be putting the shirt on but this season I really want to kick on my game.”

Discussing his approach to watching games from the bench, ready to make an impact, he added: “I think it’s just about taking that time to analyse the opposition, analyse the players you’re going to be playing against and maybe analyse our players as well.

“The things they are doing that are coming off, you try to replicate, and you maybe try something different as well.

“For me, it’s just about being aware and focusing fully on the game and the other team especially, seeing where I can exploit the spaces, the positions I can pick up.

“It kind of gives you that different view and you are able to sit back and analyse it. I don’t really beat myself up over starting as much as I want to but it [being on the bench] gives me another opportunity and gives me more detail to look at so that when I come on I can apply it and hopefully change the game.”

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