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Liverpool-linked Rayan Cherki impressed for France Under-21s against England.(Image: The FA via Getty Images)

Harvey Elliott and reported Liverpool transfer target, Rayan Cherki, faced off for the second time in their young careers on Friday night as the latter exacted revenge two years after their first meeting.

In their first match-up, Cherki and Elliott started at Leicester City's King Power Stadium when England Under-21s won 4-0 against France.

The then-teenage Reds midfielder did not contribute to the goals, but Curtis Jones did assist the second for Noni Madueke before scoring the third as a substitute.



Almost precisely two years to that day, Cherki set up two goals inside the opening seven minutes - the first a pinpoint pass straight into the path of Quentin Merlin, the second a raking through ball from inside his own half - as France went from a goal down to 2-1 up.

Hugo Ekitike, another player Liverpool are said to have shown interest in, latched on to the latter and scored the second before adding a third from point-blank range after a low cross from Tottenham's forward Wilson Odobert.

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Two minutes later, Elliott halved the deficit, being set up by the opening goalscorer, James McAtee of Manchester City, for a close-range header after evading the French defence.

But then, early into the second half, Odobert again crossed for Ekitike to finish first.

Liam Delap struck back just after the hour mark, though, reacting first after an audacious McAtee dink rebounded off the post.

Rico Lewis then won England a penalty and Elliott stepped up with the chance to equalise - but fired his spot-kick over the crossbar.

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France would instead score the eighth and final goal of the game, with Cherki cutting inside from the right wing after squeezing in an effort through the legs of England goalkeeper James Beadle.

If that didn't seal the result, a studs-up tackle at shin height from Ipswich's Omari Hutchinson that resulted in a red card with five minutes of the 90 remaining did.

Whoever from Liverpool was watching Elliott will have been sent a reminder about the qualities Cherki and Ekitike possess.
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