---
title: "Virals: Jason McAteer lauds Harvey Elliott following friendly display"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/virals-jason-mcateer-lauds-harvey-elliott-following-friendly-display/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "Liverpool News"
published: "2021-07-30T18:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-07-30T18:00:00Z"
---

# Virals: Jason McAteer lauds Harvey Elliott following friendly display

Former [Liverpool](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/07/30/virals-liverpool-starlet-kaide-gordon-catches-the-eye-in-friendly-defeat/) midfielder Jason McAteer has been lauding current starlet [Harvey Elliott](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/07/27/virals-liverpool-youngster-harvey-elliott-set-to-replace-xherdan-shaqiri/) following the teenager’s display against Hertha Berlin.

The 18-year-old attacking midfielder [impressed whilst out on loan](https://www.sofascore.com/player/harvey-elliott/955245) last season at Blackburn Rovers and is expected to play a role in Jurgen Klopp’s squad for the upcoming campaign.

That plan has already started to come to fruition as the teenager plays as the [most advanced of a midfield three](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/liverpool-klopp-philippe-coutinho-elliott-24613895) during the Reds’ pre-season friendlies in Austria.

After watching Elliott dazzle in another 45-minute cameo display against Hertha Berlin on Thursday evening, McAteer told [LFC TV](https://video.liverpoolfc.com/) of the players the wonderkid reminded him of.

> I’m a big fan from the minute I saw him. I saw him in a pre-season friendly in Switzerland, his pass appreciation, his touch. He was sensational. I think it was key for him to go out on loan. He looks a bit stockier. He’s come back from Blackburn, probably learnt a lot. He looked comfortable. That will stand him in good stead to come back because he has that experience. His best position is a million dollar question. For me I do see – and these are big names coming out – I do see Xavi and Iniesta in him. I see Thiago as well, that kind of player developing. When I say that, I see a player who can see a pass, is comfortable on the ball – he’ll have it in a phone box. He always wants to get on it, his head’s on a swivel always looking around but he can execute.

Last season Elliott scored [seven times and registered another 11 assists](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/harvey-elliott/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/565822) in 41 Championship appearances.

### READ LIVERPOOL VERDICT

No pressure then.

Whilst there’s no doubt the talented [England youth international](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/harvey-elliott/nationalmannschaft/spieler/565822/verein_id/21340) will have a part to play this term for Klopp’s side, comparing a teenager to two of the greatest players the game has seen and a [World Cup-winning midfield partnership](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/vergleich/spielervergleich/statistik/def/spieler/7607&7600) is a bold statement.

Having [predominantly been a right-winger](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/harvey-elliott/leistungsdaten/spieler/565822) previously, adding additional strings to an already [well-equipped bow](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/363982/Show/Harvey-Elliott) by moving central will be a major plus moving forwards.

Let’s hope for more sightings during 2021/22 and if McAteer proves to be even half correct, Liverpool will have a serious player on their hands.