Liverpool manager Arne Slot has defended his decision to leave Harvey Elliott out of the starting lineup despite the midfielder’s match-winning cameo in the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain. Slot emphasized that he has his reasons for starting other players ahead of the 21-year-old, who came off the bench to score the decisive goal in Liverpool’s narrow 1-0 victory in Paris.
Elliott’s Impact in Paris
Elliott’s late goal secured a hard-fought win for Liverpool, who were largely outplayed by PSG in the French capital. However, Slot resisted the temptation to start the young midfielder in Liverpool’s subsequent Premier League clash against Southampton. The Reds faced a setback when Will Smallbone gave the bottom-placed Saints a shock first-half lead at Anfield. However, Liverpool mounted a second-half comeback, with Darwin Nunez equalizing and Mohamed Salah converting two penalties to seal a 3-1 victory.
Slot’s Explanation for Elliott’s Omission
Elliott’s absence from the starting lineup sparked questions after the game, particularly given his recent comments about feeling frustrated at the lack of opportunities. Slot acknowledged the difficulty of leaving Elliott on the bench but stood by his decision.
“It’s always a tough call not to start Harvey, or Wataru Endo, or any other player,” Slot said. “But if someone comes on for five minutes, touches the ball once, and scores a goal, and that changes your entire view on the lineup, that would be strange. Harvey made a significant impact today, just as he did in Paris. That’s why he got 45 minutes today—because of his performance in Paris. But there’s a reason why I’ve trusted other players so often—they’ve earned that trust.”
Slot admitted hindsight might have altered his starting choices: “If I could do it over, I might have started differently, but you don’t know that beforehand.”
Competition for Places
When asked if Elliott could secure a starting role before the season ends, Slot left the door open: “Yes, there’s still time. We have nine more Premier League games, hopefully more in the Champions League, and one in the League Cup. Harvey is competing with so many talented players, which makes it challenging to pick the lineup. Performances like his today certainly help his case.”
Slot also praised the resilience of players like Elliott and Endo, who have maintained their professionalism despite limited minutes: “Harvey and Wata train exceptionally well, even when they’re not playing much. They keep pushing, and when their moment comes, they deliver. That’s the biggest compliment I can give them. Many players in their position might start to drop their effort, but not these two. That’s exactly what we want as a team, even if it makes my job harder.”
Endo’s Role
Wataru Endo, who also made a brief appearance against Southampton, was highlighted by Slot as another player who has made an impact despite limited starts: “Endo came on for just 15 minutes today and showed how important he is to the team. Like Harvey, he’s been patient and ready when called upon.”
Looking Ahead
With the season entering its final stretch, Slot’s decisions on team selection will continue to be scrutinized. Elliott’s performances off the bench have kept him in contention, but Slot’s focus remains on maintaining the balance and trust within the squad..
