Harvey Elliott’s season has not gone how the attacking midfielder would have planned. While Liverpool go from strength to strength under head coach Arne Slot, the 21-year-old Englishman’s role has largely diminished compared to last term under Slot's predecessor Jurgen Klopp.

Elliott, who was signed from Fulham in 2019, enjoyed his breakthrough for the Reds in the 2022/23 season. He played an even more important role last season following the departures of Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, making 53 appearances across all competitions and playing a particularly important role in winning the Carabao Cup.

This campaign has not yet come to life for the Reds' young talent, who began the season on the bench before being sidelined with a broken foot for two months. Despite recovering in early December, he has continued to be used sparingly by Slot, seeing just 53 minutes of Premier League action and not starting a single league game.

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That's led to speculation that he could seek new opportunities elsewhere, though he is under contract until the summer of 2027. But Elliott, who came off the bench to play a part in both of Darwin Nunez’s added-time goals against Brentford last week, insists he is committed to fighting for his place in the starting line-up.

His impressive cameo came after what he described as “friendly conversations” in Slot’s office. The frustrated England U21 star knocked on the boss’ door recently to ask what he could do to earn more playing opportunities.

He revealed: “We've had those conversations but it's not just me. There are other lads in the team who maybe haven't played as much as they want and are probably doing the same thing.

“I just have to keep working hard, keep trying to help the team out whenever I'm needed and just wait for my opportunity. I don't expect to come in and play straight away. I want to help my team out as much as I can and the club and give everything I can.”

The conversation helped provide Elliott with clarity on what he specifically has to improve on to earn Slot’s trust, admitting: “If you look at the team now, the sprints we're doing and constant running around is something I can do but I can improve it a little more. We have players in the team who are unbelievable at it.

"Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones, people like that are constantly pressing and running around. It's something I can do but I need to get into the rhythm of doing it and making it effective, not just doing it for the sake of it. I need to improve on it and I'll work as hard as I can on it.”

Elliott reiterated his desire to stay at Liverpool, albeit not ruling out any possibility as he said: “This is my club, my team. I want to fight for my place and my position in the team. I'll do what it takes, as much as I can to help the team out when possible. It's down to me to make that achievable. I won't give up, I'll keep fighting and who knows what happens.”

Few can criticise Slot’s team selections and tactics given that Liverpool are six points clear in the league with a game in hand, as well as top of the revamped Champions League table. He has been known to make brutal decisions for the good of the team, as he showed by hooking Jarell Quansah at half-time against Ipswich Town back in August.

The next few months of the season, as Liverpool fight for multiple titles and require squad depth, will be critical for Elliott as he looks to leave his mark. Slot himself has addressed his conversation with the midfielder, saying: “It would be weird if he would come to me and say, ‘I’m so happy with the playing time I have at the moment'.”

He highlighted the level of competition from other players in the squad, suggesting that others have impressed him more until now. The head coach said: “But like Federico [Chiesa] because many people ask about him, who is in competition with Mo Salah, Harvey is in competition with four or five very good midfielders – you may agree with me or not.

“This comparison sheds light on the high standards and the level of performance expected from players aspiring to break into the starting lineup.” Slot also said that Elliott has been “unlucky” not to play more this season.

His comments come amid rumours linking Elliott with a potential move to Brighton and Borussia Dortmund. But the boyhood Reds fan is expected to do his utmost to change his fortunes at Anfield in the coming months before potentially having to make a decision in the summer.