The No.19 was back in the starting XI on Sunday as a topsy-turvy clash with Tottenham Hotspur was settled 4-3 in the Reds’ favour thanks to Diogo Jota’s stoppage-time winner.
It was a fourth success in a row in the Premier League for Jürgen Klopp’s men, who quickly return to home soil when Fulham visit on Wednesday night.
The focus within the squad is singularly on extending that sequence further and ensuring a positive feeling at the end of a challenging campaign, Elliott explained.
“First and foremost, to go out and win each and every game,” he told Liverpoolfc.com at the AXA Training Centre, when asked about current targets.
“Personally for me, I want to be involved and play as much as I can. It’s a team game and whoever is called upon, I’m sure they’re ready to go out and give it their all.
“That’s all we need to do really – make sure we finish the season strong. It has been an up and down season but we just need to make sure we take all of the confidence and the recent form into these games.”
Read on for much more from our preview interview with Elliott, who discussed the Reds’ recent displays and assessed 2022-23 from a personal perspective.
He also revealed the emotions shared by the squad regarding Luis Diaz’s goalscoring return to the XI last weekend, and spoke of what is expected against Fulham.
On the emotions about Sunday’s win having had time to reflect on the performance and result…
First and foremost it’s a win, which is always a positive to take away from the game. But it was mixed emotions throughout the game. Obviously being 3-0 up at such an early stage but then to give away the lead and for them to make it 3-3. The resilience, them scoring so late in the game, [we] could have easily just given up and felt sorry for ourselves and started beating ourselves up, but we had that resilience to go out and find another goal, which Jots took amazingly. To come away with the three points, as I said, is always a good thing and gives us good confidence going into the next game. But we need to reflect on the game and reflect on where things went wrong to put it right in the next game.
On how he assesses his individual season…
I’ve played loads of games this season, I’ve played 42 games. But I think my contribution, I’ve done OK – I feel like I can do more. I always want to do more, I always want to keep going, I always want to be the best player and contribute to the team when I can. I think there has been a few games when I haven’t been at my best; I need to reflect back on that at the end of the season. For me personally, I just want to be the best, I just want to go out and give it my all each and every game and try to contribute in the way I can contribute. I have contributed to some extent but I always want to do more. I want to make the most of every opportunity and keep going.
On the hunger he has to be a part of the team moving forward…
Definitely, it has been my aim since I first joined here: I want to be a massive part of the team and I want to feature in each and every game if I can. Obviously some games that’s not going to be possible or touch wood it doesn’t happen but injuries could come in the way. I just need to prove to myself, prove to the manager and to the team that I’m capable of playing for this big club, and to the fans as well. It’s just down to me to put in the work to make sure I go out on the pitch and take every opportunity. Especially being a young player as well, you may not get many chances; luckily this season I have but I just need to take each and every one and give it my best shot. Hopefully I can prove to everyone I can play.
On the empathy he can feel for Diaz returning from a long-term injury after previously doing so himself…
It’s amazing – not just me but everyone, the whole building is buzzing to see him back. And the fans are as well. There was a lot of talk obviously before the game, seeing if he’s ready to start. He looks like he hasn’t been out. The way he contributed to the game and for his goal and how hard he worked, it’s just great to see that an injury like that can set someone back but [he can] still come back firing. We’re all around him, we’re all so pleased for him. As everyone saw, his emotion after scoring the goal, each and every one of us all felt the same for him. We were all just so pleased. Hopefully he can kick on now and stay away from injuries and get a good run of games together before the end of the season.
On his memories of being at Fulham earlier in his career…
Unbelievable experiences, they got me where I am today and they gave me that platform to go out and play and showcase my talent, and gave me the training I need to be the man and player I am today. They have always got a big place in my heart and they forever will do and I always want the best for them. Obviously my main focus is on winning the game and not thinking around what’s happened beforehand, it’s just about making sure I go out and if I play make sure I put in a big performance and do the best for myself and for the team and hopefully we can come away with the three points. But, as I said, they’ve got a massive place in my heart still.
On Fulham’s form in the Premier League this season…
Like any team in the Premier League, everyone is wanting to stay up or finish in the best possible place – and Fulham are certainly a team that deserve to be in the Premier League. They have got unbelievable talent and a great manager with obviously great coaching staff and fans as well. They have all the attributes and keys to stay up and they have showcased their talent this season. It’s going to be another tough game for us, another game where we need to be committed and focused throughout it. We can’t take the foot off the gas because we know they’ll punish us with the quality they have. It’ll be another tough test for us, we just need to make sure we’re focused and apply it to the best of our ability.