Harvey Elliott has returned to Liverpool determined to fight for his future at the club, although supporters have initially been required to address the considerably more immediate matter of what happened to the rest of him.

The midfielder is back at Anfield following a difficult season on loan at Aston Villa and has been given another opportunity to establish himself under new manager Andoni Iraola.

Elliott featured as Liverpool beat Sunderland 4-2 in pre-season on Saturday, making his first appearance for the club since returning from Villa.

His performance generated some discussion.

His arms generated considerably more.

Images of the 23-year-old quickly circulated among supporters, with Elliott appearing noticeably more muscular than during his previous spell at Liverpool.

The transformation prompted the usual range of football analysis, including suggestions that the additional strength could help his game and separate concerns that a professional athlete may now possess too much muscle.

It represents the latest development in an important summer for Elliott, whose loan move to Aston Villa failed to provide the regular football he had hoped for.

He has since cut short his summer break, returned early for pre-season preparations and spoken publicly about receiving a second chance at Liverpool.

The midfielder will now attempt to convince Iraola that he can still become an important part of the first-team squad.

Liverpool supporters will presumably assess that in due course.

For now, they have noticed that Harvey Elliott is significantly larger than the last time they saw him.