HARVEY ELLIOTT thanked fans for their messages of support after he suffered a horror dislocated ankle in Liverpool’s clash at Leeds.
The Reds’ teen winger is set to have surgery on the ankle, which is suspected to also be broken.
Elliott, 18, went down in agony under a Pascal Struijk tackle that saw the Leeds man sent off as the Reds won at Elland Road.
Stricken Elliott was carried off on a stretcher and taken to hospital — posting a pic on social media from the ambulance.
He had enjoyed a shining start to the Premier League season and was driving Jurgen Klopp’s side forward when he was caught by Struijk just before the hour mark in a fairly innocuous-looking challenge.
Elliott’s ankle appeared to buckle as he collapsed to the turf on the halfway line with an almost-certain break.
Mo Salah, the nearest Liverpool player to the incident, immediately hurried the medical team on to treat the player.
And the Egyptian then covered his face with his shirt as he and his team-mates looked visibly in shock.
With the second half of Liverpool’s 3-0 win still going on, Elliott wrote on Instagram: “Thank you for the messages guys! Road to recovery YNWA.”
Marcus Rashford tweeted: “Ahhhh man rivalry aside that looks really nasty, no one wants to see that, thoughts are with you Harvey.”
Raheem Sterling added: “Wishing you a speedy recovery Harvey Elliott.”
Leeds defender Struijk was shown a red card for the tackle, although Gary Neville felt the decision was harsh despite the serious injury.
Sky Sports did not show a replay of the incident to protect Elliott’s privacy.
He was carried off on a stretcher as both sets of supporters applauded the rising star off, with those in the away end singing You’ll Never Walk Alone.
Ironically, the youngster was about to be substituted off with Jordan Henderson on the touchline ready to replace him when the injury occurred as Klopp’s side led 2-0.
Sky commentator Neville said: “It’s not a good one. Players who saw it originally have walked away in shock. Jurgen Klopp is furious.
“The most important thing is the boy but I’m not sure it’s a red card.
“We’re watching it up here but we can’t show it. The red card is a result of the injury rather than the tackle.
“The game has been ruined in more ways than one. First the injury to Elliott and the sending off. I didn’t think it was a red card.”
Despite referee Craig Pawson initially waving play on, Martin Tyler added: “We can confirm that referee Craig Pawson was always going to show a red card and VAR were just checking if it was the correct decision.”
Mo Salah and Fabinho had already set Liverpool on their way to victory.
Sadio Mane added a third in injury time to wrap up the points and move Liverpool level on points and goal difference with Premier League leaders Manchester United.
A stunned Reds boss Klopp said: “It is very, very emotional.
“I saw the situation. I could see his foot was not in the right place. That is why we were all very shocked, the whole team.
For that to happen to any player is saddening. For a young player playing at a high level, even more.
Marcelo Bielsa
“I spoke to the boys afterwards. We have to speak a little bit about the football but Harvey overshadows it.
“Do I want such a young boy to have this experience in his career? No. We have to be there and we will be there.
“We will play football without him, but we will wait for him as well because he is a top player.”
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk – who has only just returned from a long-term knee injury suffered early last season – added: “All of our thoughts and prayers go out to Harvey.
“You see his reaction and you know it is really serious. I have experienced it with all the staff, players and fans that they have your back.
“I am 100 per cent sure we will be there for him. Our club Liverpool will be there no matter what.”
There were also best wishes sent from the Leeds camp, too.
Manager Marcelo Bielsa said: “I regret dearly what happened, I wish it did not happen.
“For that to happen to any player is saddening. For a young player playing at a high level, even more. I am sure my player did not have the intention to harm him in any way.
“The tackle was clear but clearly the acceleration at how our player moved caused it.”
And Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani added: “I wish the boy well. This is football. It’s accidental. Personally, I feel sorry for the boy. The injury is difficult for him.
“We cannot control that kind of injury. It was accidental but I am honestly sorry.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
