Liverpool receive MASSIVE £40m favour, courtesy of Chelsea FC

Chelsea have done Liverpool a £40m favour. They never meant to, of course.

Chelsea and Liverpool have both been among the busiest teams in football across this transfer window. The sheer number of deals has been incredible.

And neither are done. Liverpool, for instance, hope to sign Alexander Isak and Marc Guehi.

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The former has been at the top of Liverpool's shortlist since the start of the year. He'd probably be a Red by now if Newcastle United had better luck in the transfer market.

With Guehi, it all depends on how eager Crystal Palace are to sell. They don't want to lose him for free at the end of his contract but that means finding a fee for him this week.

As for Chelsea, they're locked in complicated talks for Xavi Simons with RB Leipzig. Those talks aren't exactly going to plan - and it results in a favour to Liverpool.

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The Chelsea chain

Chelsea want to sign Simons and Leipzig are willing to sell. However, Chelsea can't quite afford the player and are holding up the deal.

There have been suggestions about Leipzig taking on players from Chelsea in the deal but they appear reluctant to do that. Though, they are interested in Christopher Nkunku - but in a separate deal.

And if Simons doesn't leave, Leipzig don't need to replace him. Their choice for that is reportedly Harvey Elliott for around £40m.

Elliott has been ready to join them for a while but the delay here means he's essentially waiting on Chelsea. We think that's a blessing in disguise.

Liverpool shouldn't sell Elliott. The game against Newcastle on Monday highlighted that, with the playmaker coming off the bench to play an important role in wrestling momentum away from the hosts.

It was his movement between the lines that really started the match-winning move. But his general play once on the pitch showed why has value.

Elliott is cover on the right, of course, but more importantly, he's a playmaker who will slide between the lines in a slightly different way to Florian Wirtz. Even if it's as subtle as drifting right rather than left, as the German tends to do.

The 22-year-old is a magic player when on form - we just didn't get to see it often last season as Arne Slot didn't play him. That will surely change this season as he's the closest thing Liverpool have to Wirtz, if the Reds want to use that type of playmaker.

Elliott would be gone if Chelsea were quicker with their Simons deal. The fact he's still here is a favour from them, as Liverpool should call this one off.

Keep Elliott in the squad and see what kind of impact he can have this season. He's too good and too useful to be cut loose.

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