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Harvey Elliott of Liverpool(Image: Nikki Dyer - LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

While the news of Liverpool's club-record pursuit of Florian Wirtz has understandably whet the appetite for supporters, for the Reds players themselves, it will mean increased competition for places.

Such a prospect is, of course, par for the course at clubs the size of the Premier League champions but for Harvey Elliott, the negotiations for Bundesliga player of the year Wirtz have seemingly led to a lot of soul searching.

Speaking to the ECHO back in the April, Elliott outlined his desire to fight for his place at Anfield, saying: "I don't think there is a better place to be playing."



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However, since the details of Wirtz have emerged over the last month, that stance appears to have softened, with the midfielder saying recently: "I don't really want to be wasting years on my career because it's a short career."

The ECHO's Reds writers have had their say on what might come next for a young player seemingly at a crossroads.

Last season might have been different for Harvey Elliott under Arne Slot had he not had a foot fracture detected on international duty in September.

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At the time, the target was to return for the Chelsea game on October 20 but the issue left the midfielder sidelined until late November, when he returned off the bench in a 3-2 win at Southampton.

And by that time, the Reds were knee-deep in a title battle and Slot had his trusted lieutenants for the midfield spots.

As a result, Elliott had to try and catch the eye in limited cameos off the bench or cup competitions in much-changed squads and the fact that he only started one game last season said a lot about where he stood in the pecking order under the current boss.

Having played over 50 times for Jurgen Klopp last time out, it must have been a shuddering jolt for Elliott as he kicked his heels on the sidelines more often than not and the revelation that he doesn't want to be "wasting years" of his career was telling.

With Wirtz - who is the same age as Elliott - likely arriving to take the No.10 spot in the team, opportunities might be even harder to come by for the former Fulham teenager next term.

The ball is in his court and there will be no push on Liverpool's end to offload the 2019 arrival but if he feels more game-time is needed for his young career to push on, then he might himself forced to look elsewhere.

How much of a knock-on effect that has for the Reds' summer plans is unclear at this stage but Elliott won't be short of suitors if he makes the reluctant call to look further afield.

When Arne Slot took over at Liverpool, Harvey Elliott looked set to prosper.

He had shone in the final weeks of Jurgen Klopp's reign, and was poised to be unleashed in his favoured role.

But despite a strong pre-season, Dominik Szoboszlai started the season ahead of him as first-choice.

An untimely fractured foot then ruled him out until December and left him on the outside looking in.

With Liverpool now working on a club-record deal to sign Florian Wirtz, his opportunities look set to become even more limited.

Having lost Trent Alexander-Arnold as he navigated the final year his contract, waving off another boyhood Liverpool fan - and one desperate to keep representing the club too - seems rather cold.

But given his recent interviews, Elliott himself is seemingly think more with his head than his heart as the reality of his situation becomes clear.

If he is staring down the prospect of another season on the fringes, a reluctant parting of the ways - for a top fee - would probably be best for all parties.

Sadly, it feels as though we are the final chapter of Harvey Elliott's story as a Liverpool player.

The England international has been a stellar servant since joining from Fulham six years ago and has overcome nearly everything that has been thrown his way at Anfield.

However, it seems as if the battle to force his way into Arne Slot's starting XI, even before the possible arrival of Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, is a task too tough even for the tenacious England under-21 international.

But it is not through the fault of trying

After making just two starts in the Premier League this season, both after the Reds had secured the title, Elliott has been approaching a decisive crossroads in his career for some months now.

Elliott, of course, loves Liverpool, and he has made no secret of his desire to be a success at Anfield.

But sometimes in football, sentiment has to be put to one side.

And Elliott should do that this summer by seeking a move to a team where he can display his talents on a weekly basis.

And for Liverpool, Elliott's departure is likely to yield a healthy fee that can be reinvested back into Slot's side.

It is a solution that could be best for all parties.

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