Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott still holds the record as the Premier League’s youngest-ever player when he made his Fulham debut at 16 years and 30 days.
He’s since become the youngest Liverpool player to start a competitive game for the club and has made a total of seven appearances for the first-team this season.
He only turned 17 last month and is set to sign a three-year professional contract at Anfield in the coming weeks.
But it could have been so different for Elliott.
After rejecting Fulham’s offer of a scholarship last year, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and even Real Madrid were interesting in snapping up his talents.
However, Elliott talked himself out of a move to the Bernabeu in a move that Liverpool fans will thoroughly enjoy.
A report from The Athletic reveals how the Spanish giants “rolled out the red carpet” for Elliott as they attempted to convince him to sign for the club.
“There was a tour of the Bernabeu and their training ground complex as they sought to convince the youngest player to play in the Premier League to move to the Spanish capital last summer,” the report reads.
“When they reached Sergio Ramos’ shirt, hanging up on the wall, Real’s charm offensive included an offer to arrange for the talented teenager to meet their long-serving captain.
“‘No, it’s OK, thanks,’ Elliott replied. ‘I don’t like him after what he did to Mo Salah.’”
Of course, Elliott was referring to Ramos’ cynical ‘tackle’ on Salah during the 2018 Champions League final which resulted in the Liverpool star leaving the pitch in tears.
Elliott - a Liverpool fan - was actually in Kiev at the time to watch his side lose 3-1 to Real Madrid.
And he clearly hasn’t forgotten about Ramos’ act - much like Liverpool fans.
In fact, the left-footed winger is hoping to follow in Salah’s footsteps in the coming years - a player he idolises.
“Mo is the King,” he said. “Going up against him in training I learn a lot of things. I idolise him a lot. Even in the gym, he helps and tells me to do higher weights to push myself even more. He’s a really big influence on the young players.”
It seems Elliott has not only the attitude but also the ability to become a Liverpool legend.