Lijnders heaps praise as Harvey Elliott retains

Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders has heaped praise on Harvey Elliott after the midfielder returned to full training, just four months on from suffering a horrific ankle injury.

The 18-year-old dislocated his ankle during Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Leeds back in September, just as he was starting to nail down a regular spot in Jurgen Klopp’s side.

And while many expected Elliott to be out for most of the campaign, the midfielder is now back sooner than expected and is already turning heads in training.

Lijnders is certainly one of them and Klopp’s No 2 has revealed the dedicated youngster, who was seen smashing in goals and sharing a joke with Virgil Van Dijk in training, is set to reprise that important role in the heart of Liverpool’s midfield once he’s back to full fitness.

‘He didnt lose his football brain during the time he was off,’ Lijnders said. ‘Yesterday it would be a crime not playing him if you see him in training.

‘Some players don’t knock on the door, they run through it and Harvey is like that in each session. He is coming back from a long-term injury so it is important he is team fit, that he prepares himself well but it is great to have him back.

‘You saw in the first games of the season how he influenced our style. We are happy that he is back with us, doing all the things we normally do.

‘We like the players who have goals in them, not just dribbles or technique but always searches for the last pass. He influences our game a lot.’

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While one Liverpool midfielder has returned from an ankle injury, another is set for a short spell on the sidelines.

Lijnders confirmed Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will miss Thursday’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Arsenal – but reassured fans that his ankle injury is not serious.

The 28-year-old was forced off in the second half of Saturday’s 3-0 Premier League victory over Brentford at Anfield, soon after scoring the Reds’ second goal.