Jurgen Klopp admits not giving Harvey Elliott more minutes is his one regret with Liverpool this season -
Klopp is adamant he will not risk being banned from his Anfield farewell next week.
Harvey Elliott delivered a man-of-the-match performance in the Reds' 4-2 Premier League win over Tottenham
While Elliott began 18 of Liverpool's 20 cup games this season, the outing against Spurs was only his ninth top-flight start
Elliott has four goals and nine assists in the campaign while playing both on the right wing and in the right of the midfield
Klopp
"It's not like I go back and think, 'where did we go wrong here and there?' but if I regret one thing a little bit it's that Harvey didn't play often enough maybe,"
"In a very important and intense period in January when we had a lot of injuries, he played really good, probably our best player whether it was right wing or right midfield, all these kind of things.
"(Then) everybody came back and he had a few minutes here and there and didn't start anymore and then came on and made a big impact. It's really nice that he could show that."
Elliott's strong end to the season has prompted suggestions of a call-up to the England squad for the forthcoming European Championships
Klopp said
"If it would help Harvey whatever I say then I would say it. But you just start a discussion in public and, even though he has done nothing wrong, some people will find a reason why Harvey Elliott shouldn't be there. The boy reads it and he feels bad.
"If somebody wants to pick him then he has everything you need. You can pack a suitcase in an instant. It's not a problem. But I will not be part of that discussion."
Gakpo is another player enjoying a fruitful last few weeks having dislodged Darwin Nunez from the starting line-up.
Klopp has revealed the talks that helped turn the Dutchman's season around should have taken place sooner in the campaign.
Klopp
"Cody knows for a while he was not in his best moment,"
"We had a conversation - it's not for the public what we spoke about - but it helped him a lot. We could sort it a little bit.
"It's just a problem of can I speak immediately to players who are not performing anymore at the levels you expect them to?
“You can, but how can I have an answer for his situation if I don't understand it? You have to try to look a bit longer into it and wait for a specific moment when I can give answers
“Maybe from my point of view that took too long. That's maybe the case but after that talk he stepped really up and it's really good to see how physically strong he is.
“He is a good footballer and can play right wing, left wing especially and centre. Smart again, full of confidence, physical strength, he is in a good moment and it's good for us."
The Liverpool manager has been on two bookings since February after a caution at Luton in November was followed by one at home to Burnley.
Klopp added:
"I know that already for a long time - when did I get the second yellow card? By the way, we could turn it around and say I have only got two yellow cards. I think a few of my colleagues got suspended, right? Hmm.
"I was calmer over the years, obviously. I don't need to be on the touchline for the final day, but it would be cool! It will not be from my side - I will try absolutely everything to not get involved in any kind of discussion."
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