Liverpool starlet Harvey Elliott squares up to HUGE Benfica goalkeeper Leo Kokubu in Uefa Youth League clash

WHIZKID wideman Harvey Elliott squared up to giant Benfica keeper Leo Kokubu as nine-man Liverpool crashed out of the Uefa Youth League 4-1.

Elliott, 16, is set for a three-year deal after shining for Jurgen Klopp’s first-team in cup wins over Arsenal and a full-strength Everton side this season.

Harvey Elliott is undaunted by Leo Kokubu, who is eight inches taller, after shoving the keeper

Liverpool starlet Harvey Elliott was anxious to retrieve the ball after cutting the deficit to 3-1 but Benfica went on to win 4-1

Winger Harvey Elliott is the youngest Prem player ever after playing for Fulham and has impressed in his senior games for LiverpoolCredit: Getty – Contributor

And he showed the passion that has excited Liverpool fans by SHOVING Kokubo into the net for the Reds’ U-19s before going head to head with the 6ft 3in stopper – eight inches taller than him.

Ex-Fulham star Elliott had just beautifully teed up a Tyler Morton goal that cut the deficit to 3-1 in the 38th minute.

But earlier Goncalo Ramos, Tiago Dantas’ penalty and Nuno Tavares put Benfica in command.

And Ramos struck again on 59 minutes to kill off a Liverpool team with three senior squad members in  Elliott plus Dutch centre-back Ki-Jana Hoever and Sepp van den Berg.

TWO REDS SENT OFF

It was Van den Berg and Leighton Clarkson who were later sent off when the last-16 tie heated up.

Van den Berg went for bringing down Dantas in the 72nd minute.

Then Blackburn-born midfielder Clarkson kicked out at Rafael Brito in added time.

But it was Elliott’s hunger against tall odds that stood out for Liverpool on an otherwise disappointing afternoon.

The stylish prospect from Surrey, who many think will eventually play more centrally, became the youngest player ever in the Premier League last May for Fulham.

Now the Daily Mail suggest he will land the maximum possible deal for someone so young at the end of the season – after he turns 17 next month.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk