‘It’s wrong’ – Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott defends Pascal Struijk again after Leeds’ red card appeal rejected

ByMichael Hincks

Published 15/09/2021 at 10:38 GMT

Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott could return before the end of the season after dislocating his ankle. The teenager has defended Pascal Struijk for the tackle, and called the decision to dismiss Leeds’ red-card appeal as “wrong” despite suffering the injury in the 3-0 win on Sunday. “It’ll soon blow over brother and you’ll be back in no time,” Elliott said.

Harvey Elliott disagrees with the decision to uphold Pascal Struijk’s red card despite the tackle resulting in a dislocated ankle for the Liverpool midfielder.

Leeds saw their red card appeal rejected on Wednesday, meaning Struijk will serve a three-game suspension against Newcastle, Fulham and West Ham.

Elliott underwent a successful ankle operation on Tuesday, and a day later he responded to the appeal’s dismissal by defending Struijk.

Europa League

Exclusive: Elliott calls on Liverpool team-mates to 'do everything' for departing Klopp

11/04/2024 at 09:43

• ‘Freak accident’ – Elliott says Struijk’s tackle did not warrant red card despite ankle injury
• Liverpool players left 'distressed' by Elliott horror injury admits Alexander-Arnold

“Sorry about this Pascal, I think it’s wrong!” Elliott said on Instagram when replying to Sky Sports’ post. “But it’ll soon blow over brother and you’ll be back in no time smashing it again - keep positive.”

After the surgery on Tuesday, Elliott posted an update on his Instagram page:

Operation was a success! Thank you so much to everyone for your amazing support. The road to recovery starts now. At the end of the storm there's a golden sky.

Liverpool’s club doctor Dr Jim Moxon said Elliott could return before the end of the season.

"We were able to reduce the dislocation immediately on the pitch and Harvey had surgery today to repair the fracture and ligaments damaged in the incident. The operation was a success so his comeback starts now," Dr Moxon said.

"We won't put pressure on him by setting a specific timeframe beyond being able to say with confidence we expect him to feature again later in the season following our rehab programme."

Harvey Elliott faces months out

Image credit: Getty Images

Elliott was stretchered off in the second half of Liverpool's 3-0 win at Leeds on Sunday and was taken straight to hospital, while Struijk was shown a red card by referee Craig Pawson.

The incident was described as a “freak accident” by Elliott, who also gave a light-hearted response to a Manchester United supporter on TikTok.

"He's not walking like that anymore,” a message read under a video of Elliott walking out at Elland Road, to which the player responded: "Crazy though how I have more legs than United have trophies in the past eight years, X."

Premier League

‘A pleasure to share the pitch’ - Elliott opens up on relationship with ‘legend’ Salah

09/12/2023 at 17:37

Champions League

Klopp cautions that Liverpool are still in 'dangerous' position despite first leg win

17/02/2022 at 10:27

Premier League

Klopp confirms that Elliott will undergo surgery on ankle injury

15/09/2021 at 13:17