Harvey Elliott opens up on relationship with ‘legend’ Mohamed Salah - ‘A pleasure to share the pitch’

Harvey Elliott said it was “a pleasure to share the pitch with such a legend” as Mohamed Salah, with the pair both on the scoresheet as Liverpool came from behind to beat Crystal Palace on Saturday.

The 20-year-old came off the bench in an action-packed tie at Selhurst Park to help The Reds overtake Arsenal as Premier League leaders following a late 2-1 win.

After falling behind to Jean-Philippe Mateta’s second-half penalty, Salah’s deflected strike - his 200th goal for Liverpool - pulled them level before Elliott sealed the win with an emphatic strike from the edge of the box.

Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, Elliott hailed Salah as a “legend” and an “influence”.

“I think my finish today sums up what I’ve learnt from him,” Elliott said, reflecting on his match-winning goal. “If I keep talking about what I’ve learnt and how much of an influence he’s been on me, I think everyone will start getting bored.

“Ever since I came through the door he’s always been by my side and looked after me. It’s just a pleasure to share the pitch with such a legend. He deserved getting his 200th goal today, no one works as hard as him and as I say, it just sums him up.”

Salah appreciated the youngster’s kind words.

“He’s a good kid,” Salah responded. “He’s learning, I always try to push him in the gym and also practice after training and just do something extra because without working hard, we would not achieve something big.

“But he’s having a good career and I’m sure he can have much better than that, but he just needs to put in the work and I’m happy for him. I’m always next to his side and always tell him, if he wants to speak then come to me.

“Sometimes you need to work as a coach for young players but I’m happy about it.”

TNT Sports pundit Rio Ferdinand believes the relationship between Salah and Elliott is a testament to the latter’s ability.

“Experienced players don’t take time with young players if they don’t see something in them,” he claimed. “Mo Salah sees something in this young player, he sees the ability and he sees that he’s got the chance to be a real, proper player. He ain’t gonna waste his time.

“Harvey Elliott, he has a ridiculous talent. They [Liverpool] got him from Fulham as a young kid, 16 years old I believe, but we’ve seen him with the Under-21s look like he’s a step above, a cut above, and he’s doing things like this on a regular basis for them.

“If we can see this more often in a Liverpool shirt then I think he can give a real different option from that midfield position. He’s someone who can travel with the ball, he can run, he can pass, he gets his head up and he can play people in, but he can also be someone who can finish as well.”

Meanwhile, Peter Crouch believes Elliott can become a Liverpool regular.

He said: “What I want him to do now is kind of do it on a more regular basis. I feel he’s got the ability to be a mainstay in this team, I really do.

“He’s proved to be the match-winner today, but the way Jurgen Klopp was speaking to him on the sideline, it’s like he knows the ability he’s got, he’s the key to open doors and he’s proved that again today.”

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