Harvey Elliott wants to use his social media platform as a force for good in the wake of the recent boycott.

Players joined clubs, football and media organisations and supporters in backing a three-day break from social media that included the weekend’s fixtures.

The Liverpool loanee has amassed a following of 7800,000 on Instagram and regularly posts on the platform and recently signed a sponsorship deal with New Balance.

Elliott has had to deal with the hype surrounding him from a young age, since becoming a Premier League player at the age of 15 and playing for Liverpool’s first-team by 17.

His Rovers loan spell with come to an end after this weekend’s final home game with Birmingham, but supporters will continue to watch his progression with interest after an excellent season at Ewood Park, nominating for the EFL young player of the year prize after six goals and 11 assists.

That has won him plenty of plaudits, not least on social media, and having been a young fan himself only a matter of years ago, Elliott knows the importance of connecting with supporters.

“When I was younger I used to do it myself, to send messages to play just hoping for a reply,” the teenager said.

“So to now be in a situation where young players are messaging me and other players, that’s why I like to take time out to show my love and send messages back.

“For me it takes five seconds out of my day to reply, but for them it will mean a hell of a lot.

“It’s like a present to them. You can see how much it means to people and that’s what I think social media needs to be, to use your page to influence people.”

While Elliott is keen to show his thanks to fans for their support, he’s equally mindful of the time he spends on his phone to avoid getting wrapped up in the world of social media.

“I respect everyone showing me love and messaging me etc, but in all fairness I hate being on my phone,” he added

“I don’t think it’s good to be staring at a screen all day, and obviously social media, I think it’s a bad place.

“I try and stay away from all of that and not get involved in that.

“But when I can message people back and reply like I do, I like to show my support and love for people.

“But sometimes it’s too much and crazy.”

It is on the pitch where Elliott has continued to do his talking and he will return to Liverpool in the summer with the hope of breaking into Jurgen Klopp’s first-team plans.

As for this season, he said: “My main key was to play, getting game-time, however long it was, whether I started as many games as I have.

“But I’ve played in every single game and to take that away, it’s unreal. I got my 50th appearance the other week and I looked back and thought ‘wow’.

“For my age it’s crazy to think about because I never thought I’d have had that by my 18th birthday.

“I’m grateful for everything and everything that comes with it you have to grab it and once you get your chance you just have to take it and focus on yourself and working hard to make yourself a better player and person.

“It’s been a brilliant season and I can’t thank Blackburn enough.”

  • Elliott was speaking on the latest episode of the Counter Attack Podcast in which he also discusses life at Liverpool and his future plans.