Liverpool starlet Harvey Elliott insists he's not concerned by the 'healthy competition' at Anfield, after Reds' summer spending... as England U21 star admits his biggest critic is not Jurgen Klopp - it's his dad!

Harvey Elliott might have a couple of harsh critics with Jurgen Klopp and Lee Carsley as his manager for Liverpool and England Under 21s - but the Reds midfielder says the biggest nitpicker is his father.

Elliott, who scored a brace for the U21s in a thumping win over Northern Ireland on Tuesday, has struggled for starts in big games for Liverpool since his horrific leg break two seasons ago and has fallen down the pecking order at Anfield with four midfield signings this summer.

But the 20-year-old insists he is constantly working on improving his game, especially focusing on adding more goals. And the biggest critic is his father Scott, who travelled up to Anfield for every home match as a Surrey-based supporter even before his son’s move there from Fulham in 2019.

‘He is always trying to push me as hard as he can which is why he’s a great dad,’ said Elliott on his father, who is often seen with a notepad at matches and was also spotted in jubilant celebration when his son scored a late goal at Wolves earlier this season.

‘Social media is social media, it can turn quickly. Everyone can love you or hate you in a matter of minutes. For me I don't focus on it. I listen to the important people around me: my family, the coaches and the players who are all trying to help me out.

‘It is my dad who criticises me the most. There is always something I could have done better. He always wants the best for me. I've had a few chances for Liverpool this season, it is going to be a lot harder to get opportunities. But I'm full of confidence now.’

Elliott, who has featured in all but two Liverpool matches this season but mainly off the substitutes bench, says he is learning from the new Reds midfielders Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo, signed for a total of £150million.

‘They've come in and hit the ground running and it's healthy competition now, striving towards the same goal which is winning trophies,’ he added. 'Every time someone else plays or I play, the support around me is unbelievable from these lads and I do the same for them as well.

‘We're a team at the end of the day, you can't be frustrated that you're not playing. You have to stay patient and take your opportunity when you get it. These new boys, you can see the quality they have hence why they've been bought for a lot of money. Learning from them is great.’