Harvey Elliott has explained his goal celebration against Lille on Tuesday night, which he said was a ‘clear’ message that he wants to remain with Liverpool.

The 21-year-old has been linked with a loan exit from the club in the last few weeks given his lack of minutes under Arne Slot. Elliott has found his opportunities limited since returning from injury last month but was handed 45 minutes in Liverpool’s Champions League win over Lille - a result that secured the Reds’ place in the last 16 of the competition.

It was Elliott who netted the winning goal as his 67th-minute strike deflected in to hand Liverpool a 2-1 victory at Anfield. He celebrated by making a talking sign with his hand and his hand and then shook it to indicate the rumors were untrue.

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“I think it’s pretty clear to be honest. I’m not leaving,” Elliott said in his post-match interview with Amazon Prime Video. “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 didn’t really see all the stuff,” he added. “It’s just a few things my friends have seen and calling me up saying ‘are you going here?’. 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.”

Elliott’s playing time has been a slight surprise given how regularly Jurgen Klopp utilized the former Fulham last season - only Darwin Nunez played more games - but Liverpool’s no.19 said he can appreciate why the manager is reluctant to give him a starting berth.

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

“I think for me to be going 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 and it’s about staying patient and whenever 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 to get minutes here and there. When the chance comes I need to show the gaffer if I am needed then I am ready.”

On his first Champions League goal at Anfield, Elliott added: “I just thought I was going to smash it. In the past I’ve made the mistake of taking a touch and teams have countered and scored. But to be able to score, especially in front of the Kop at Anfield, there’s no better feeling.

“It’s hard to put into words. All of my life I have dreamed of playing Champions League football, not only for my boyhood, but to play at Anfield in front of our fans and especially to score as well, it’s a pinch-me moment.

“The family are in the stands watching and it's an amazing feeling. It’s done now and I just need to focus on the next couple of games and go into training tomorrow and work hard.”