Football: Teenager Elliott's rocket sends troubled Liverpool into FA Cup fourth round
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Liverpool's Harvey Elliott celebrating after his goal gave the Reds a 1-0 win over Wolves on Jan 17, 2023.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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LONDON – Jurgen Klopp said he got the reaction he wanted after Harvey Elliott’s sublime strike put troubled Liverpool back on track with a 1-0 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers in Tuesday’s FA Cup third-round replay.
Klopp’s side came in for scathing criticism after losing their last two Premier League games in desultory fashion at Brighton and Brentford.
But 19-year-old Elliott’s brilliant long-range effort in the first half at Molineux secured a much-needed first victory in four games in all competitions.
Ironically, Liverpool’s reward for seeing off Wolves – who had forced the replay with a 2-2 draw at Anfield – is a return trip to Brighton in the fourth round.
The Reds’ dismal 3-0 defeat at Brighton on Saturday left them languishing in ninth place in the Premier League, 10 points adrift of the top four.
“It feels like ages ago that we had that feeling that we win and play well,” said Klopp, whose side were snapping into tackles and winning second balls, showing more hunger and tenacity than in recent weeks.
“We played a really good first half and, in the end, it was just passion to block the shots.
“It’s the reaction we wanted to see from ourselves, and the boys delivered.
“The goal was exceptional. I don’t want to make Harvey’s performance smaller but I had a few Men of the Match today, just the others didn’t score.”
In the bout of soul searching that followed the Brighton embarrassment, Klopp said his struggling team needed to go “back to basics”.
Amid mounting questions about his own future at Anfield, the German claimed this week that he would not leave the club unless he is forced to and hinted at changes in his squad during the summer.
Hamstrung by injuries to a host of key players, including Virgil van Dijk and Luis Diaz, Klopp made eight changes after the Brighton debacle, with only Cody Gakpo, Thiago Alcantara and Ibrahima Konate retaining their places.
Mohamed Salah and Alisson Becker were among those left out, but Liverpool’s understudies rose to the challenge.
Liverpool players celebrate after Harvey Elliott scores his team first goal.
PHOTO: AFP
Elliott produced the opener in breathtaking fashion in the 13th minute.
The teenager ran unchecked from the halfway line before blasting a superb strike over Jose Sa from 25 metres.
The midfielder said he had been encouraged to let fly from long range by teammate James Milner.
“Milly (Milner) was screaming ‘shoot’ as well, so I had to go for it,” he told BBC Sport.
“Maybe he can encourage me a bit more to shoot because it definitely worked.”
“I have been judged a bit on assists and goals and it is something I have been working on and it came off today.” AFP, REUTERS
