Ex-Liverpool star claims Martin Odegaard 'stood out' during Reds trial

Former Liverpool star Suso has revealed his memories of Martin Odegaard's trial at Liverpool back in 2014.

Now, 29, Suso left Anfield in 2014, having failed to make much of an impact on the first-team set-up.

The attacking midfielder, who joined as a youth player in 2010, made just 21 senior appearances for Liverpool before making a permanent move to AC Milan.

Suso's story became one of 'what might have been' for Liverpool fans, with the playmaker going on to impress for Milan, Genoa and now back in his native Spain with Sevilla.

However, an even bigger sliding doors moment for the club came in 2014 when a teenage Norwegian midfield talent by the name of Odegaard came for a trial at Melwood.

Speaking to the Guardian, Suso recalled that the current Arsenal captain – who ultimately went on to sign for Real Madrid – 'stood out' when training alongside the Liverpool stars.

He said: "A little blond kid. When I was at Liverpool, Odegaard came to try out with us for a week. It was that time when everyone wanted him.

"He trained with Madrid, with Liverpool and a few others. He stood out: left-footed, which I always notice more as a left-footer myself, hair like it is now. He had lots of ability. I don't think I've seen him since."

Later in the interview, Suso – whose Sevilla lost 2-1 to Arsenal in the Champions League on Tuesday – added: "I see Odegaard and I'm surprised by how he has improved. A coach has come who believed in him, took him under his wing and gave him lots of confidence and games and now he's the player he is."

Odegaard reportedly grew up a Liverpool fan. Writing for The Players' Tribune back in February, Odegaard confirmed that the Reds were one of the many clubs he visited while still a teenage wonderkid.

He wrote: "My dad handled everything with the clubs, and there were a lot. We went to Bayern, Dortmund, Man Utd, Liverpool, Madrid, Arsenal too. We got flown around in private planes and made to feel special.

"I’m not just saying this … I was actually close to choosing Arsenal. When we went there, I got to train at London Colney. I met Arsène Wenger. He took me and Dad out for dinner. That was cool, but strange too. It’s Arsène Wenger, you know? He’s this legend I grew up watching on TV, and now I’m sitting across from him eating steak. I was so nervous I was just sitting there thinking, Is he analysing me right now? Is he going to judge me if I eat the fries? Maybe I should just leave them. Hahaha!"

Odegaard is not the only current star that Liverpool have missed out on after a trial, with Manchester City's Jeremy Doku and Brighton's Evan Ferguson among those to have spent time training at the club, before choosing different career paths.