This archive report was first published on 18 December 2019.
December 18, 2019, marked a significant milestone for Liverpool's 16-year-old midfielder Harvey Elliott, who is inching closer to joining the Reds' first team.
Under-23s coach Neil Critchley praised Elliott's performance in the 5-0 League Cup quarter-final loss to Aston Villa, where he impressed despite the team's youngest-ever lineup.
"He is not too far because he trains with the first team on a regular basis, so he has had first-team exposure already," Critchley said, highlighting Elliott's potential.
Elliott already holds two records as the youngest to play in the League Cup and the Premier League, both set while with Fulham last season.
Critchley defended the decision to field an all-academy lineup, citing the experience gained by the young players as a valuable asset.
"You can't swap that experience for anything. It was a special evening for them," Critchley said, reflecting on the team's performance.
