Liverpool target Jeremy Doku and his impressive debut season in Ligue 1
Belgian teenage talent Jeremy Doku was understood to be a top target for Liverpool last year while he was still plying his trade at Anderlecht.
Jurgen Klopp, perhaps, had laid out his plans to bring the talented prodigy to Anfield, as the German gaffer saw him as a successor to Sadio Mane.
However, Doku ended up joining Rennes last summer and has since been a revelation in the French top-flight.
The 18-year-old went on to complete more dribbles in a single game, beating PSG ace Neymar’s record.
Doku revealed he had spoken with many Liverpool players, but it was Mane who advised him not to consider a transfer to Anfield.
Doku said: “I was able to discuss (a move) with Jurgen [Klopp], Mane, [Georginio] Wijnaldum… [Steven] Gerrard too.
“I really spoke a lot with Mane, but we didn’t really talk about football. We talked about everything.
“He told me that I was young, that I still had time… he wasn’t trying to convince me or to say to me ‘come here, you will succeed.”
Former Man City youngster James Balagizi has the attention of Klopp.
Liverpool teenager James Balagizi has been creating waves in the youth ranks, and many predict that he could be soon called to the first team.
The 17-year-old, who had previously represented Manchester City, has registered 8 assists in the U-18 Premier League this season while being instrumental behind the Reds progressing to the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup.
Balagizi scored a match-winning hat-trick against Leicester City in the round of 16, and Klopp was there to witness his heroics live.
