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Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones was recently asked to build his own dream soccer player— with a couple of surprising selections made by the England international.
Speaking to Sports Direct in a video posted on TikTok, Predictably, Jones picked Mohamed Salah as the player with the best left foot. He opted for another Liverpool winger, Cody Gakpo, for the best right foot.
Darwin Nunez, who is expected to depart shortly to join the Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal, was Jones' pick for speed, ahead of new signing Jeremie Frimpong. Ibrahima Konate, meanwhile, got the nod as the strongest player at Liverpool.
When it came to the best free-kick taker, Jones went with Harvey Elliott. Luis Diaz, who now plays for Bayern Munich, was noted as the most skilful, while Alexis Mac Allister was named as the player with the highest football IQ.
Elliott, who netted from open play during Monday's first friendly against Athletic Club, has never scored from a set-piece for Liverpool. However, he is a very technically gifted player.
The Bundesliga side RB Leipzig is interested in signing Elliott this summer. However, it might need to sell Xavi Simons — who is of interest to Chelsea — first before that deal can be done.
"If I had it my way, I would be [at Liverpool] for the rest of my career, it's as simple as that," Elliott told The Anfield Wrap in Asia this summer. "I love everything about the club.
"But at the same time, I kind of need to be selfish and see what's best for me. I have big ambitions. I want to get in the World Cup squad. I want to keep being successful as a player. It's something I still need to review.
"I need to have a talk with everyone and review the situation. We have many new players who have come in, so whether it blocks the path for me, I'm not sure. It's something I need to have a look at and decide."
Liverpool has committed to spending a club-record $155 million (£116 million) on Florian Wirtz (including add-ons). Last season, Dominik Szoboszlai was preferred under Arne Slot.
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"I think it’s a situation that me and the team on my behalf have to have a conversation about," Elliott said before going on to be England's main man at the U21 European Championship, where the Three Lions collected the trophy.
"I’m coming into an age now where I’m 22, I’m gonna be 23 next season, and I don’t really want to be wasting years in my career because it’s a short career, you don’t know what’s gonna happen.
"Injuries and things could shorten it. So I think it’s a situation that, as I’ve said before, I need to reflect, I need to see if I’m content in doing what I’m doing, and how I can improve as a player."
Liverpool.com says: Elliott should move on for the best of his career, but Jones will have a big role to play under Arne Slot this season. The Liverpool number 17 isn't likely to be the first name on the teamsheet, but there will be plenty of chances to perform.
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