Jermaine Pennant urges Harvey Elliott To Kickstart His Career Away From Liverpool

Liverpool have kicked off with a 4-2 win over Bournemouth in the opening game of the 2025/26 campaign. It was a great start for Slot’s Reds as they look to retain their Premier League crown. We caught up with former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant, who discussed the future of Harvey Elliott, his hopes for Rio Ngumoha, and his thoughts on where Virgil van Dijk ranks among the Premier League greats.

Could Aston Villa Be Harvey Elliott’s Summer Destination?

Harvey Elliott’s stock rose massively this summer thanks to his performances at the European U21 Championships, where he played a key role in steering England to glory. Despite that, Elliott only started two matches in the Premier League last season and has struggled to establish himself as a regular under successive managers. The 22-year-old insists he wants to remain at Liverpool for the rest of his career, but Pennant believes it may be time for the attacker to seek opportunities elsewhere.

“I don’t think Harvey can stay and fight for his place because we don’t know what his best place is? We don’t know if he’s an 8 or a 10 out wide, right or left. He hasn’t got a fixed position. He’s an amazing utility man, but there is a team out there that will see what he has to offer and can find a role for him. He’s a great player and he’s chipped in each season.”

“Maddison is injured for example and Elliott played a huge role in the England U21 winning the recent tournament so a number of clubs could benefit from having him. Aston Villa are one, Tottenham could benefit too. Any other team in the Prem could use someone like him.”

With Elliott currently at odds of 5/2 to still be at Liverpool by the end of the window, it's worth using our bet calculator to see how much you could stand to earn from him staying.

Slot Told To Ensure Ngumoha Is In His Plans For This Season

A huge reason why Elliott may see his time at Anfield coming to a close is the form of Rio Ngumoha during pre-season. The young attacker, aged just 16, scored two goals and provided two assists in pre-season and has all but earned himself a first-team spot for this season. He still has a lot of growing to do tactically and physically, but has already shown all the technical ability he needs to become a key member of Slot’s side across the campaign. Pennant is keen to see Ngumoha play a prominent role in the squad, believing he has earned the opportunity after his summer.

“I think Rio can make a real push into the first team, especially with Harvey Elliott potentially leaving. Rio doesn’t look out of place. He’s playing against men and he looks comfortable. He’s skipping past players and beating them. He’s earned the right to be part of the squad and be in the first team changing room, training with the first team.”

“They’d be stupid not to include him in their plans with the goals he’s scored. They’ve been good goals where he’s dribbling past players from his own half. When it’s time to give Gakpo a rest, for example, he should play because he’s made a name for himself.”

Is van Dijk the best Premier League centre-half?

In January 2018, Virgil van Dijk joined Liverpool for £75 million, a then-world-record transfer fee for a defender, and has since rubber-stamped his name as one of the greatest Premier League defenders ever, up there with the likes of John Terry, Rio Ferdinand and Sol Campbell. But where does he rank among the titans of the league from yesteryear, and is he better than them? Pennant reflects on his own playing time when discussing van Dijk’s credentials.

“I think Virgil van Dijk is better than Terry, Ferdinand, Vidic and Campbell. I’m not being biased. We’re talking about the player and not what they’ve won. You can be an average player and win six Premier Leagues, a Champions League and some cups. A decorated player doesn’t mean you’re a fantastic player.”

“How I judge this is if I was playing on the pitch and I was 1-v-1, who would I not want to be up against. Terry I would because I’m quicker. Rio is tough because he was a great defender. But with Virgil I’m not trying to take him on. If anything I’m turning back and giving it to my right back.”

“When it comes to aerial dominance, Terry was good. Rio probably wasn’t as good as Terry but with Virgil I don’t see him losing aerial battles. I would say Virgil is a better defender.”

Read more as Jermaine Pennant reviews Liverpool's summer transfer window so far