Liverpool have practically secured a spot in the Europa League quarter-finals following a dominant display against Sparta Prague in the first leg of their last-16 encounter on Thursday.
The scoring commenced with Alexis Mac Allister converting a sixth-minute penalty for the Reds, followed by Darwin Nunez netting an impressive first-half brace, securing a 3-0 lead at halftime.
An early own goal by Conor Bradley early in the second half briefly gave Sparta Prague hope, but Luis Diaz swiftly reinstated Liverpool’s three-goal lead in the 53rd minute.
Mohamed Salah, introduced in the later stages of the match, thought he had added another goal, only for VAR to disallow it for offside. Nevertheless, Liverpool sealed the game as Dominik Szoboszlai netted a fifth deep into injury time, securing a commanding 5-1 lead after the first leg.
Despite not finding the back of the net himself, 20-year-old Harvey Elliott’s performance garnered praise, particularly for his hat-trick of assists. Elliott played a pivotal role in Nunez’s first goal and Diaz’s strike, with his pass also initiating Szoboszlai’s late goal.
The Liverpool Echo gave the former Fulham prospect a seven out of 10 rating, acknowledging his significant contribution to the team’s performance: “Neat and tidy in possession and always looking to keep Liverpool on the front foot.
“Moved wide right in the second half, showcasing his versatility.”
Harvey Elliott’s stellar performance for Liverpool continues to capture attention as the team strives for success. Against impressive statistics recorded by Sofascore, Elliott showcased his talent by delivering three key passes and maintaining an outstanding 96 percent pass accuracy. Additionally, he managed to register one shot on goal and won two ground duels.
Despite facing some challenges, including a knee injury during the 2021/22 season, Elliott has demonstrated patience and resilience at Liverpool. Over the past two seasons, he has become an integral part of the squad, earning more starting opportunities.
In fact, Elliott has accumulated the most minutes played among Liverpool players in the last four games, highlighting his impact on the team. With his youth and potential, it’s truly exciting to envision how Elliott will further develop in the coming years.
Considering his talent and dedication, one can only speculate on the heights he will reach in his mid-to-late twenties. It’s safe to say that Elliott is indeed a star in the making, and his future prospects hold great promise for both Liverpool and English football.