Harvey Elliott ‘completely overwhelmed’ by messages of support after horror injury in Liverpool’s win over Leeds; Elliott has been released from the hospital but will have surgery in the coming days; Jurgen Klopp:
“We will be there for an incredible player”
Harvey Elliott said he was “absolutely devastated” but was “fully focused” on his recovery after dislocating his ankle in Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Leeds on Sunday.
Elliott has been discharged from hospital and will undergo surgery in the coming days after suffering the injury in the second half at Elland Road.
Leeds played the final half-hour with 10 men after substitute Pascal Struijk was sent off for fouling Elliott, who received lengthy treatment before being stretchered off.
Writing on Instagram on Monday, Elliott said:
“Of course, I’m absolutely devastated by what happened yesterday at Leeds, but I’m completely overwhelmed by the love and support the entire football world has shown me following my injury.
“Thank you so much to everyone who has reached out or sent messages to me and my family – it means so much to us. I would also like to say a huge thank you to everyone at Elland Road for making me feel welcome right after the incident.
“I am now completely focused on my recovery and I will do my best to recover as soon as possible. I know I have an incredible support network in Liverpool and we will get through this together This.
“To all Liverpool fans:
Your support matters to me. I’m one of you and I can’t wait to come back faster, fitter and stronger to help the team in the future. You will never walk alone!”
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said after the match that the club would do everything possible to support Elliott.
“It’s a serious ankle injury,” Klopp told Sky Sports. “I heard he had a dislocation so we were able to put him back in place and he’s in the hospital now. Obviously we have to wait. He played an incredible game and he was an incredible player who was sidelined.
“Would I want a boy like that at the beginning of his career to have this experience? No, but now he is so we have to be there and we will be there. We will play football without him but we will be the same. let’s wait because he is obviously a top player.
“We all saw the ankle was out of place and the medical team put it in the right position. There’s not much good to say, otherwise it’s a serious injury. We have to wait for further tests and scans.”
Klopp’s side claimed their fifth consecutive league win and are currently unbeaten in a total of 14 matches since last season.
Mohamed Salah headed Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross in the first half – his 100th goal in the Premier League.
Salah became the 30th midfielder, only 4 players have achieved this milestone with fewer appearances than the Egyptian midfielder (162 matches).
“With Mo’s record, it’s crazy,” Klopp added. “I don’t know how many goals he can break and maybe he really wants to do it. Since joining us, what a player he has been! And he’s always hungry.
“I saw him in the dressing room and we were all thinking about Harvey but he was still unhappy because he hadn’t scored another goal or two. Top players are like that and that’s very good.”
Fabinho scored in the second half in the fifth minute and Sadio Mané added a deserved third late on to extend the Liverpool star’s unbeaten run.
“I think we played very well,” Klopp continued. “We played a top game for a long time. After the red card and Harvey being sent off, everyone was obviously shocked and we were a bit out of rhythm but still in control of the game.
“It’s true that we gave them too many counter-attacks and set-pieces, but that doesn’t matter. We should have made more use of the football we played.
“The goal for Mo from Trent’s cross is an example of what we should’ve done more often. We had plenty of these situations but we just couldn’t find a player.
“3-0 is a great result and we’re not that greedy to the point of standing here and saying we should’ve won five, six or 7-0. We have a lot of chances, but we have space for improvement.”
“First and foremost all our thoughts and prayers are going to Harvey. Hopefully he recovers quickly and as well as possible from it. Obviously at this stage we have no idea of the diagnosis at this moment but it looked bad.
“Apart from that, it was a fantastic win here in an intense game. I enjoyed it from the point of the view of the atmosphere as we’ve not experienced it for a while but there’s clearly two feelings.
“From the moment the injury happened, I saw Mo [Salah] shouting to the side and I saw the reaction of Harvey so I knew it was really serious. It was difficult to refocus but we had to deal with it. We tried to deal with it in the best possible way.
“I will be there 100% to support Harvey, and the good thing is that I can see all the players and staff at Liverpool that they have supported me. They were also there for me during the tough times, so I’m 100% sure they’ll be there for Harvey too.”
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson on Twitter:
“Fantastic result and performance against a strong team. However, it was terrible to see Harvey injured like that… My thoughts are with him and I know he will have everything.” The support you need to come back even stronger! We’re all for you, man!”
“In today’s match something happened that I wouldn’t wish on anyone.
“@harveyelliott07 my thoughts are with you. I’m heartbroken and I never wanted this to happen. I wish you a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing you on the field soon.”
Red Knight:
There was no malice in Struijk’s challenge
