Harvey Elliott close to Liverpool starting spot as West Ham nail it again - Europa League and Europa Conference League hits and misses
West Ham won late on in Serbia to secure qualification; Alex Moreno scored the winning goal for Aston Villa, but Ollie Watkins absence a worry; Jack Hinshelwood on course to be Brighton's next big star; off-colour Rangers fail to beat Aris Limassol and secure knockout spot
Thursday 30 November 2023 23:23, UK
It feels as if there is one place up for grabs in Liverpool's three-player midfield. New signings Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister have their spots secured — so why can't Harvey Elliott take the other?
Watching him against LASK, you wonder why the midfielder has not started more in the Premier League under Jurgen Klopp, with Elliot used just once from the off since August.
No player created more chances than Elliott against the Austrian side on Thursday night, while he ended the game with the most completed final third passes.
The 20-year-old made Liverpool's right flank impossible to play against, adding more threat to Mohamed Salah's game while even making makeshift right-back Joe Gomez — who equalled Elliott for chances created against LASK — look dangerous.
Yes, this was only LASK — who gave Elliott the time and space to hurt their defence by playing so aggressively against Klopp's side. But the Liverpool midfielder has shown more glimpses of quality than just this Europa League game.
There have been the classy, late assists away at Luton and Wolves — while he has five goals and two assists in five England U21 qualifying games. Elliott is certainly knocking on the door.
Sam Blitz
Europa League fixtures
Europa League group tables
Get Sky Sports
Get NOW TV — save more than 25%
West Ham were far from their best in Serbia yet found a way to win again. It's a knack they have mastered in Europe.
Tomas
Read on skysports.com
