While Liverpool might be sitting rosy at the top of the Premier League and Champions League tables, the future of a number of players within Arne Slot’s squad remain uncertain. Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah are all out of contract at the end of the season, with the trio the subject of speculation and scrutiny as a result.

The looming arrival of goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia next summer has prompted question marks regarding both Alisson Becker and Caoimhin Kelleher, while Luis Diaz continues to attract interest from elsewhere according to reports.

Darwin Nunez is also the subject of interest, with his inconsistent performances for the Reds throughout his time at Anfield prompting questions about his own future under Slot. Andy Robertson’s own questionable form and contract expiry in 2026 also leaves his place at threat.

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Meanwhile, the likes of Joe Gomez, Wataru Endo, Federico Chiesa, Harvey Elliott and Tyler Morton’s own positions at Anfield have also been questioned in lieu of a lack of game-time so far this season.

Van Dijk, Salah and Alisson have at least all publicly admitted that they wish to remain at Liverpool. And while the club’s fanbase would love Alexander-Arnold to do the same as the England international continues to remain silent about his future amid interest from Real Madrid, another boyhood Reds fan in Slot’s ranks has at least rubbished speculation about his own future.

Harvey Elliott doubled down on his desire to stay put at Liverpool after scoring the Reds’ winner against Lille, having been linked with a move away earlier in the January transfer window. Reports suggested both Borussia Dortmund and Brighton & Hove Albion were among his suitors, but the midfielder responded with a ‘shut up’ goal celebration.

The 21-year-old has endured a frustrating campaign so far, having missed three months of the campaign with a fractured foot. Starting only two of his 12 appearances under Slot, he has been limited to 292 minutes of action and granted few opportunities in his favoured number 10 position.

But off the back of speculation about his future, Elliott has done his talking on the pitch. After setting up Nunez against Brentford and playing a part in both of the Uruguayan’s stoppage-time goals in Liverpool’s 2-0 win, he then scored their win against Lille.

The midfielder is not hiding his frustration at his lack of game-time so far this season, but he is channelling it in the right way. Playing for his boyhood club, Elliott is still living the dream and has again insisted he has no desire to leave the Reds.

“I think it’s pretty clear to be honest. I’m not leaving,” he insisted on Amazon Prime when explaining his goal celebration. “I said it in the interview the other day, this is my team, this is my club.

“I am a massive fan and we’re in a great position so far this season. I think without saying anything on social media, to be honest I didn’t really see all the stuff.

“It’s just a few things that my friends have said to me and calling me up left, right and centre, saying ‘are you going here, here, here?’ It’s the first I’ve heard of it.

“It’s always going to happen in January, especially after being out for a long time and not really playing as much as I want to, but, you know, that’s football.”

He continued: “It’s hard to put into words. All my life I’ve dreamt of playing Champions League football. Not only for my boyhood club, but to play here at Anfield in front of our fans and to score as well.

“It’s a pinch me moment. My family are in the stands as well. It’s an amazing feeling but it’s done now. I just need to focus on the next couple of games, go into training tomorrow and make sure I’m putting in the work again.

“To be able to play in this team with not only amazing players but amazing human beings with great coaching staff and a great manager behind us. I feel like we’re in the best possible place to achieve big things together.”

Realistically, there is little reason for any of Slot’s senior players to pursue a January exit. Liverpool are top of both the Premier League and Champions League tables, in the League Cup semi-finals and through to the FA Cup fourth round. The in-form side in Europe at the moment, they are competing for multiple honours at the highest stage.

With no international tournaments lurking in the summer, there is limited motivation for players to want to walk away midway through what could be an incredible season for the club. And with the Reds competing for multiple honours, it goes without saying that Slot will need all the players he has at his disposal.

Elliott has spoken to the Liverpool head coach about his bit-part role to date. But demonstrating maturity beyond his years, recognises the situation he finds himself in - returning after long-term injury - with the Reds having flourished in his absence. That in itself speaks volumes, far more than the transfer speculation he has emphatically shut down in his own way.

“I’ve had conversations with the gaffer but at the same time I need to understand the situation,” he admitted. “The team is flying. We’re first in the Premier League and first in the Champions League.

“I think for me to be going in and saying: ‘I need to be playing, I need to be starting’, I think it would be silly of myself really. You know what the answer is going to be.

“I think it’s just about making sure I’m staying patient and when I’m getting opportunities - however long it is, whether it’s five minutes or 10 or 45 minutes like today - just enjoy the moment.

“Especially after being injured for three months at the start of the season, you are itching just to get a few minutes here and there. Now the opportunities are coming around, I just want to go out and enjoy my football, play my football.

“When the chance comes, I need to show the gaffer that if I am needed then I am ready.

“He didn’t say that to me (have the impact you had against Brentford) but I think that was just in my head as well. I wanted to go on and affect the game, not only that but enjoy it.

“Champions League football, like I said, I’ve dreamt as a kid of playing on this stage and to be able to go out and play here, I just want to enjoy the moment, take it all in my stride and, most importantly, help the team out.”

Elliott is finding the positives from his bit-part role at least, using his time on the bench to analyse opponents and give him the best opportunity of making an impact when he takes to the pitch. You can certainly say he has delivered on that score in the last two outings against Brentford and Lille.

“I think it’s only the positive of not really starting because you can sit back, you can watch the game,” he said. “You can analyse the other team and see where the spaces are, see what positions I want to take up.

“To kind of have those few steps ahead for when I get the ball and what I’m going to do with it. It’s good learning as well. I’ve been in this situation many times where I’ve had to come off the bench and come in and play.

“It’s easy just to switch off, especially when it’s freezing cold, and forget about the moment. But I think if you’re analysing the game, you’re looking around and just learning for yourself when you go on, when you step on the pitch, knowing what you’re going to do. It always helps me out.”

Elliott enjoyed an eye-catching second half of the season under Jurgen Klopp last year, as he finished the campaign as one of Liverpool’s in-form players. From the week of the League Cup final onwards, he started 12 of his 20 appearances as he scored three goals and registered nine assists.

Having become the latest Reds star to make a decisive goalscoring impact off the bench under Slot, following in the footsteps of Diogo Jota and Nunez in the past week alone, he is confident he can continue to make the most of any opportunities that fall his way.

“For me personally, it’s nothing I haven’t done before,” he told the club website after scoring against Lille. “I was that player kind of for half a season last season as well so I’m used to it,”

“Not only me, other players – we’re all ready to come on and all ready to help the team. This game is about us as a squad, not individuals, not the starting XI.

“Everybody is going to be used at some point and it’s just about us making sure we’re ready, putting the work in on the training ground, [so that] when we’re called upon – not only myself but other players that have made impacts in the past couple of weeks – [we can] go out and help us out as a team and help win the game, most importantly. I think everyone that’s been called upon, they have showed that.”

Elliott might only be 21 but he is an experienced voice in the Liverpool camp. Now in his sixth season as a Reds player, he has 131 appearances under his belt with only two long-term injuries preventing a higher return.

Boasting 12 goals and 15 assists, he is making a more telling impact in the final third as he gets older. And while he is understandably frustrated not to be playing more, he is never at risk of upsetting the applecart.

As a teenager, he has been part of Liverpool squads that have won every major honour and already knows what it takes. He is well-aware that his boyhood team must come first, and will do everything within his power to help the Reds be successful.

Continuing to both say and do the right thing, time is on his side to force his way into Slot’s first-choice XI. And it is that exact attitude which suggests it would be rather premature to be writing off his Liverpool career anytime soon.

Elliott is living his dream with the Reds - and that of every Liverpool supporter - playing alongside English and European champions and helping them again compete for the biggest honours.

Be it starting alongside them or coming off the bench, the last few days alone reiterate how Elliott is poised to have a decisive say throughout the second half of the season if Slot’s side are to get their hands on the biggest prizes in May.