Gary Lineker and Micah Richards have point on Harvey Elliott but Liverpool star can't be ignored

Harvey Elliott has been in superb form for Liverpool of late. The 21-year-old has rightfully been holding down a place in Jürgen Klopp’s side, and he’s being touted as a possible inclusion in England’s squad for Euro 2024.

Elliott is yet to earn a senior cap for the Three Lions, although he has starred for the U21s over the past year. As Gareth Southgate makes his final preparations for this summer’s tournament, the clamor for him to include the Liverpool youngster has perhaps never been greater.

However, it does appear unlikely that Elliott will force his way into the England squad in Germany. Explaining why Southgate appears to prefer other options, Micah Richards and Gary Lineker believe the former Fulham star’s attacking qualities might work against him.

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“Southgate was the England U21 manager and he has brought players through the U21s,” Richards said on the ‘Rest is Football’ podcast. “I think the reason why he has not been mentioned is, because when he is playing for Liverpool, he has been in attacking positions.

“He’s up against Cole Palmer, Bukayo Saka, Jack Grealish, the list goes on. That’s the only reason, but his quality is there. I think he’s fantastic."

“Mainoo and Wharton have been mentioned,” Lineker added. “But I think the reason why they have been mentioned is because that is a holding player role, where England are, perhaps, a little bit short."

It is too simplistic to label Elliott as just an attacking player. He has been in fine form recently when played in Liverpool’s midfield three alongside Alexis Mac Allister and Wataru Endō, so to suggest that he would be challenging the likes of Saka and Grealish, who would be used as wingers, is somewhat missing the point.

But where Richards and Lineker are right is in Southgate’s preferences, and what England needs. The Three Lions aren’t short of options for more attack-minded midfielders, with Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer, James Maddison and even Trent Alexander-Arnold likely to be on the plane to Germany.

Even the staunchest of Liverpool fans would have a tough time arguing for Elliott to get ahead of any of those four. Therefore, as much as we might disagree with Southgate, it does make sense to look at more defensive options. Declan Rice is England’s only top-class option in that regard, and even he has been used in a more advanced position by Mikel Arteta at Arsenal.

Elliott should certainly remain in the conversation for an England call-up, but the Euros might just come too soon. There is undoubtedly an argument to be made for him earning a place in the squad over Jordan Henderson, although the chances of Southgate dropping the former Liverpool captain seem very slim.

Elliott may therefore have to carry on waiting for international recognition. If he carries on in the same manner at Liverpool though, soon he will become impossible to ignore. Klopp might not be the only one regretting not giving him more chances then.