Elliott admits having "tear in my eye" on Liverpool return as next target set

It has been a long road back for Harvey Elliott after he suffered a horrible injury in September, and the teenager admitted he had a tear in his eye when he returned to action after months on the sidelines.

The former Fulham man had been establishing himself under Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, starting three of the first four Premier League games, but an ankle injury sustained in a challenge with Leeds United's Pascal Struijk left him on the sidelines for nearly five months.

Elliott returned to first-team action in the FA Cup fourth round victory over Cardiff City, coming off the bench and scoring his first senior goal in a Liverpool shirt.

After the game, the 18-year-old opened up about the emotions running through his head as he made his long-awaited return, and revealed he's already setting new targets for himself.

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"Obviously the injury came and I knew it would be a lengthy time out," Elliott told Liverpoolfc.com after making his return.

"To be out here and play at Anfield, my boyhood club, it's a dream come true, to be honest.

"To come out and, most importantly, get the win and to play with the players again and to put the shirt on and just go through everything that I've missed in these past five months...

"Stepping out onto the pitch, when I ran out, came on as a sub, it did bring a little tear to my eye.

"It was a moment I'll remember and a moment that I can learn from in the future and look back on it and think, 'If I can go through it at such a young age, I can go through anything.'

"I'm just happy to be back now, the injury is in the past and [I'm] moving on to the next game."

Elliott's goal clinched victory for Liverpool after earlier strikes from Diogo Jota and Takumi Minamino, with the victory setting up a fifth round game at home to Norwich City.

It was his first in a competitive game for the Reds, though his seven goals on loan at Blackburn last season helped convince Klopp he was ready for Premier League action.

While the youngster recognises the level of talent in the squad, with Luis Diaz joining the group on deadline day, he has already set about pushing for a regular starting spot.

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"You can see, there's world-class players coming back, in terms of Thiago, there's players still out with Fabinho and today we saw the likes of Curt, Hendo, Naby as well," he said.

"There's always competition throughout the team, so to get in it, it's not easy.

"That's my aim at the end of the day. I'm here to play for Liverpool and I'll do what it takes to play for Liverpool and play for the fans, represent the badge as well as I can and just be ready if I'm needed.

"My focus is there and my targets are there. It's just down to me to take them and make sure I get in the team."