Joe Cole hails ‘Messi-esque’ England star as Three Lions reach U21 Euros final

Joe Cole was left awestruck by Harvey Elliott’s display as the Liverpool midfielder guided England into the U21 Euros final with a 2-1 win over the Netherlands.

Lee Carsley’s side are now one game away from winning back-to-back Euros after a brace from Elliott secured their place in Saturday’s final.

Elliott was a livewire throughout the game, forcing Robin Roefs into two early saves in the first half before he opened the scoring after the break with a fierce strike into the roof of the net.

The Netherlands levelled 10 minutes later after a fine first-time finish from Noah Ohio caught James Beadle off his line from 30 yards out.

But England – as they did against the Dutch in the senior men’s Euros last summer – found a winner in the final moments of the game when Elliott concluded a mazy dribble with an emphatic low finish past Roefs.

The Liverpool star headed into the tournament with questions hanging over his long-term future at Anfield after a season which saw the 22-year-old unable to pin down a regular starting berth in Arne Slot’s side.

The summer arrival of Florian Wirtz may make Elliott’s task even harder next season, but Cole is certain the Englishman will not be short of suitors after his latest impressive display at the U21 Euros.

‘It is all about Harvey Elliott popping into the pockets,’ Cole told Channel 4 as he watched back Elliott’s winning effort.

‘If Lionel Messi had done this, the world would be stopping. He has got this ability and he can do this on such a consistent basis.

‘I think he plays football the right way. I’m really excited for him not just for this final but also next year because he’s done a great job at Liverpool, but if he decides to move on I think there are levels for him to go up again. I’d love to see him playing with that kind of passion and happiness every week.’

Brighton have been linked with a move for Elliott this summer, but Cole believes bigger clubs from around Europe could be calling after his latest man-of-the-match display.

‘Anyone outside the top six he comfortably walks into and becomes one of the main players,’ he added.

‘Once he has two years at that level, he can come back to the very top at a club like Liverpool and compete. I just think he needs to be playing more regularly.

‘I still think there’s more to come from him and after playing like he has this tournament, I think there will be clubs all around Europe looking for his agent’s number and thinking he could be right for them.’

Speaking after the game, Elliott told Channel 4: ‘Amazing. Really tough game. To win is incredible. Another final, I know I keep saying it, but we need to rest, recover and go again.

‘It is not over yet. Tonight was another amazing experience, really tough conditions once again, but the way the lads dug deep. I think we deserve this final. It is about recovering, resting and going again.

‘It has been really tough preparation wise. As I said before, we had many players who had to drop out, Club World Cup and transfers.

‘We want to do it for everyone who can’t be here. It is one last push.’

Head coach Carsley was another keen to laud Elliott for his performance as he also praised his side’s resilient second-half display.

‘The team were outstanding. The way we started the game was exciting and disappointing to come in at half-time without scoring,’ he told Channel 4.

‘Second half we played with real resilience. We stood up and got over the line. We can really look forward to the final.

‘Harvey Elliott and Charlie Cresswell didn’t play a lot of minutes in the last campaign. We knew how important they would be – they have taken that onboard the responsibility of driving the rest of the squad.

‘Harvey has been outstanding. He is one of many who have stood up. They’re developing as a team and a squad. I think this team is outstanding.’

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