Belgian international Jeremy Doku's performance at Euro 2020 has captured the attention of Reds fans who want him at the club.
However, Liverpool seemingly had the chance to sign the 19-year-old in 2018 but found themselves snubbed.
Instead the forward decided to stay at the club he signed for in 2012.
It is claimed Liverpool went to great lengths to tempt the teenager into a move to Anfield, even pulling out the big guns Jurgen Klopp, Steven Gerrard and Sadio Mane.
But the Reds' world-class reputation, the prospect of becoming Mane's long-term replacement and talks with the Liverpool boss and fellow countryman Simon Mignolet couldn't quite seal the deal.
The Belgian had apparently attracted interested from Chelsea and Arsenal as well as the Reds - but turned down the Premier League trio to stick to his own career path.
"I was going to be 16 and that was the age you can sign a pro contract. A lot of teams came to see me," Doku told Ouest-France earlier this year.
"Everyone talks about Liverpool because it was the most concrete interest but there was also Arsenal and Chelsea."
He said: “I was able to discuss with Jurgen, Mane, [Georginio] Wijnaldum… Gerrard too. I talked 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'."
The Antwerp-born player chose to stay at Anderlect - and a £23million move to Rennes and recognition from the national team followed.
He explained why he decided the move to Rennes was for him: "I preferred to be careful. I knew what my trajectory had to be. That’s why, at 15, I told myself it had become serious, because I’d seen my career.
“I know what route I needed to take and I knew at that moment I needed to stay at Anderlecht."
Liverpool are said to have invited Doku with his parents David and Belinda for an introduction to the club, including a tour of Anfield and Melwood, talks with Reds stars, salary negotiations and even a house viewing.
His parents, speaking to Het Niewsblad, said: “At the age of 16 Jeremy could sign a pro contract with Anderlecht, but even then Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Man City, Ajax and PSV were interested.
“We then visited clubs like Liverpool and Ajax, but Stellar Group left us the choice.
“My (David, Doku’s father) preference was Liverpool. How we were received there, damn!"
Anderlecht were convinced they would lose the rising star to Liverpool as part of negotiations over a loan move for Lazar Markovic.
However, the Belgian side brought in former Anderlecht player Romelu Lukaku, the first big Belgian star to come through their Purple Talents Project in 2009, to film a video convincing Doku to stay.
“Van Holsbeeck (a former Anderlecht manager) was convinced that he would lose Jeremy almost for free to Liverpool and wanted to make the most of it," said the couple.
“But Anderlecht did everything to keep our son. They handled it cleverly with that video of Romelu Lukaku. If Jeremy hesitated for a moment to leave, it took away the last doubt.”
The claims may be disappointing to Reds fans who raved about the forward following his performance in Belgium's 2-1 quarter-finals defeat against Italy on Friday.
Despite the Belgians' exit from the tournament, Doku impressed with his energetic form, creating problems for the Italians and winning a penalty at the end of the first-half.
Fans were full of praise for the youngster on social media with some comparing him to Mane.
Euro 2020 continues this evening with Czech Republic in action against Denmark.
That 5pm kick off is followed by Ukraine against England at 8pm.
The first semi-final clash is already between Italy and Spain, on Tuesday evening.
