InterviewHow Harvey Elliott is looking to take his game 'to the next level'
Harvey Elliott is determined to establish himself as a key figure for Liverpool on and off the pitch in the season ahead.
The 20-year-old is looking to make his fifth campaign as a Red a landmark one in his career as he targets enhancing his skills as a player and standing in the dressing room.
He will meet the challenge of the competition for midfield spots head-on, while also developing his leadership following the departure of a number of big personalities in the summer.
Asked about his 2023-24 aims, Elliott told Liverpoolfc.com: "I think to progress now, to be honest.
"I think last season was kind of my [first] full Premier League season, so just getting used to playing each and every game and getting used to the quick turnarounds with games and how I look after my body and what I do and stuff like that. I'm happy to put last season under my belt and come through it well.
"There were tough moments here and there, and there were enjoyable moments as well. For me this season, it's just about kicking on and being a better person, being a better player and take my game to the next level, which is what I'm trying to improve on.
"I'm trying to improve for this season and hopefully make myself a better player.
"Big leaders have left our team and as upsetting as it is to see them go, it's now time for other people to step up and make sure that they're the leader on the pitch. Or if it's not them, then it's someone else.
"So, we're all going to have to play our part in each and every game. It's just making sure we stick together as a team and not get on each other's backs.
"We all need to be leaders and we all need to keep driving the team forward and making sure we're pushing one another to get across the line."
Part of Elliott's ambition is helping Liverpool's new arrivals settle in as quickly as possible, allowing them to showcase their talents right away.
Dominik Szoboszlai did just that on his home debut against AFC Bournemouth last weekend with a Player of the Match display in a 3-1 win.
Wataru Endo also made his first appearance for the club, just a day after completing his transfer from VfB Stuttgart.
"He's a great guy as well as a great player, there's no doubt about that," Elliott said of Szoboszlai. "The game against Bournemouth, I think he showcased his quality in many different aspects.
"I think in the 90th-something minute he was still bombing forward and running like it was the first minute of the game. It's nice to have that kind of player in the team. And especially him being young as well, let's hope he can keep doing it for many years.
"He's going to keep growing as a person and as a player. It's just down to us to make sure he's settling in OK and he's getting used to his surroundings and making sure he's at home.
"We can clearly see he's got the quality and the ability. We just want him to do very, very well."
On Endo, Elliott continued: "It must have been a crazy few days for him – a new place to live, new surroundings again.
"With these new players, we just need to make sure that we bed them in well and make them feel at home because we've all been there at some point and we all got the same treatment, so it'll be wrong if we didn't give that to the new players.
"They're part of us now, they're part of the team and we need them. It's just down to us to make sure they're happy, they're excited to come in to train and show them the true Liverpool meaning, which is a family.
"We just want to make sure they get the best experience here."
Szoboszlai and Endo followed Alexis Mac Allister through the door this summer as new options for Jürgen Klopp in the centre of the pitch.
"It's world-class players in the team so for each and every person it's going to be that competition, which is a healthy one," Elliott analysed.
"I don't feel like there's anyone here [that] if someone else is playing they're going to be downhearted and going to be annoyed and not try to support that person or the team.
"We're a team at the end of the day and we all want to win things together, it's not an individual game. We just need to make sure we stick together and fight through the lows and enjoy the highs together.
"I think that's the main thing this season. Just to keep everyone on their toes, give them healthy competition that we need and support each and every person as well, which is the main thing."
