Elliott insists players must be ready at all times to help the team win games

With Salah and Elliott scoring, Liverpool defeated Lille of Ligue 1 2-1 in the focus match of the 7th round of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League. Liverpool midfielder Elliott said that the players must ensure that they are ready to play at any time, so that they can help the team win the game.

Liverpool defender Tsimikas immediately created an opportunity after seizing the ball in the 34th minute. Salah received Jones's through pass and scored with a long shot from the top of the penalty area, helping Liverpool to open the scoring with a 1-0 lead.

In the 59th minute of the second half, Aissa Mendy was sent off after accumulating two yellow cards when he brought down Diaz, leaving Lille with 10 players. In the 62nd minute, Gudmundsson made a triangle pass, Haraldsson went forward to shoot but was blocked by Liverpool defenders, and then Jonathan David made a supplementary shot to help Lille tie the score 1-1.

In the 67th minute, Tsimikas' corner kick was cleared, and Elliott at the top of the penalty area received the ball and scored with a long shot, giving Liverpool the lead again 2-1.

In the end, Liverpool defeated Lille 2-1 at Anfield. After winning seven consecutive games, Liverpool successfully advanced to the top 16 of the Champions League ahead of schedule.

"For me personally, this is not the first time I've done something like this," said Elliott, 21. "I played this role for half of last season, so I'm used to it. It's not just me, but other players are ready to play and help the team. This sport is about our entire team, not just individuals or the starting lineup."

‘Everyone is going to be called upon at some point and we just have to make sure we are ready and working hard on the training pitch so that when the time comes for us and the other players who have performed well over the last few weeks, we can give and work hard for the team to win the game and that’s the most important thing. I think every player who has been called upon has shown that.’

Elliott continued, "This result is very satisfying, but it was also a difficult game. I think sometimes we made the game more difficult, but winning the game is the most important thing."

Talking about the team's goal loss in the game, Elliott said, "I think that was a wake-up call for us, because compared to our usual performance, our standards have indeed dropped and we have relaxed a little. But this goal was like a shot of adrenaline for us, bringing us back to the state and level we must have. The most important thing is that we responded."

"Especially when they were down to 10 players, we maybe relaxed a little bit mentally and thought the game was over. But in football, it's not over until the final whistle."

Elliott also said, "Like I said, when they scored the goal, I felt that everyone on the field was re-energized, and the fans were cheering for us behind us, and we just need to keep working hard, so winning the game is the most important thing."