Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott believes their challenge for the Premier League and in Europe will benefit from a disappointing FA Cup exit to Manchester United as it will free up space in the calendar.
The 20-year-old tried to put a positive spin on their chaotic 4-3 extra-time quarter-final defeat at Old Trafford by suggesting it will allow them extra days for recovery.
Manager Jurgen Klopp admitted in the aftermath of defeat it was the first time he had seen his players struggle physically as they played their 46th game of a season which has at least another 12 fixtures and potentially more if they get past Atalanta in the Europa League’s last eight.
HARVEY ELLIOTT
This team just never give up!
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup)
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It all seemed too perfect. Just moments after Robert Lewandowski had dragged Poland back into it at the other end, Alvaro Morata had the chance to once again prove his critics wrong.
But with the goal gaping, Morata was unable to convert, as Spain followed up a 0-0 stalemate with Sweden with a 1-1 draw against Poland, La Roja failing to win their first two group games of a European Championship since Euro 1996.
Yet it had all been going well for Morata, who opened the scoring in the 25th minute when he prodded in from Gerard Moreno s cross-shot, with VAR awarding the goal after the linesman s incorrect offside flag.
Morata had charged off to celebrate with Luis Enrique, who came to the defence of Spain s forward after Monday s frustrating draw with Sweden in t…