Liverpool have forgotten star who could replace Mohamed Salah after Jamie Carragher backing

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher previously predicted one of the club's current players would replace Mohamed Salah

Harvey Elliott was previously tipped to be Mohamed Salah’s successor at Liverpool by Jamie Caragher. The 23-year-old could return to the Reds with a point to prove after his frustrating Aston Villa loan spell.

Elliott signed for the Reds from Fulham, aged 16, and became the youngest-ever player to start for the club when making his debut in September 2019. A productive loan at Blackburn Rovers followed, where he thrived on the right flank, cementing him as part of Liverpool’s first team squad.

The versatile midfielder has played 149 games for the club but saw himself fall down the pecking order during Arne Slot’s first season at Anfield. In a bid to find regular football, Elliott joined Villa last summer but has since found his minutes limited due to the structure of the deal.

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With a permanent move to Villa likely off the table, Elliott could remind the Reds of his ability if he returns to the club. Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher previously predicted that the midfielder could take Salah’s place at Anfield.

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In February 2022, when discussing Elliott’s future, Carragher told Goal: "You have someone really special here, maybe in terms of Mo Salah’s replacement, if that’s the position he plays in.

"Mo Salah is getting to 30 now and we’re all desperate for him to sign a contract, but whenever Mo Salah goes, maybe you’ve got your ready-made replacement. Maybe not the same type of player, but a guy that plays on the right and comes in on that left foot.

"Maybe he’ll be more creative or maybe he’ll get less goals, who knows, but he’s definitely a special player and, in the next 18 months, he’ll have to find a position for him in the team because players of that quality have to play."

A few years on from Carragher’s prediction, Salah is set to bid farewell to the club at the end of this season. However, Elliott’s career has stalled due to his limited game time this term.

The loan deal with Villa includes a £35million obligation to buy if Elliott plays a certain number of games for Unai Emery’s side. He has featured on just nine occasions in all competitions, including four Premier League appearances.

While it is a far cry from being touted as Salah’s replacement, Elliott’s predicament is not necessarily a reflection of his ability. Villa’s decision not to activate the £35m clause could ultimately benefit Liverpool if Elliott is eager to prove his doubters wrong.

It will be almost impossible for the Reds to sign a like-for-like replacement for Salah this summer. Meanwhile, manager Slot has deployed various players on the right flank this term.

If Elliott is able to impress the Liverpool boss in training, the 23-year-old could stake a claim to rejoin the side next season. Four years later, there is still a small chance for Elliott to prove Carragher’s prediction right.

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