"I'm a massive fan..." - Liverpool star names Lionel Messi as the GOAT ahead of World Cup final

Liverpool star Harvey Elliott has named Lionel Messi as the greatest player in history – adding that it has been a "privilege" to watch the Paris Saint-Germain star play at the World Cup in Qatar.

Messi, 35, has the opportunity to win the one major trophy missing from his collection when Argentina take on France in the World Cup final on Sunday.

Messi is also in the hunt for the Golden Boot, having scored five times in the tournament.

He is joint-top scorer heading into the final with France striker Kylian Mbappe.

Elliott: Messi is the GOAT

Liverpool midfielder Elliott, 19, says he's been a huge fan on Messi since he was a youngster and believes the PSG star is the greatest player on the planet.

When asked if he views the Argentina international as the GOAT, Elliott told Sky Sports: "For me personally, yeah.

"I've been a massive Messi fan, ever since I was growing up as a kid. For me, he's the best player in the world at the moment.

"What he's done over the years and what he's done at the World Cup, it's the biggest stage in the world.

"For him to be able to do it at such an age as well, it just justifies for myself really why he’s the GOAT.

"Watching him at the World Cup has been a privilege.

"People all around the world are happy and blessed to be able to see a player like this perform at such a high ability.

"In each and every game he performs the very best and always produces something magic."

England U21 star Elliott is yet to make a full international appearance but is widely expected to make the step up to the senior team in the coming years.

He has scored four goals in 42 appearances for Liverpool since joining from Fulham in 2019 and will hope to be in contention for a place in England's senior squad for Euro 2022 in 18 months' time.