Liverpool reported interest in Jarrod Bowen in the summer came as a shock to some.
But the West Ham United star has shown this season exactly why the Reds are keen.
Bowen has been in excellent form for the Hammers, scoring eight goals, and he has revealed being included in Gareth Southgate's England squad for the 2022 World Cup would be his 'ultimate dream'.
And the 25-year-old, who is yet to win his first England cap, has also hailed Liverpool star Mohamed Salah as his inspiration.
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Salah 's ability to bag countless goals and drift into those scoring positions has been highlighted by Bowen.
West Ham manager David Moyes named the Egyptian King for his in-demand forward, who has two goals and four assists in his last five games in all competitions.
And now Bowen, speaking to Standard Sport, has said: "I think Mo Salah is the perfect example.
"The goals he scores and assists he gets, the impact he has on games and consistently doing it every season since he joined Liverpool.
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"He is definitely one that I look at and I think he is one of the best players in the world at the moment. As a player you always want to look at people in a similar position to yours and learn from them."
Bowen is being tipped for his first international call-up and he is hoping he can make the squad for the first time with the World Cup approaching.
"I think this season was about progression and getting the call up for England is the ultimate dream," Bowen, who scored both goals for West Ham in their 2-0 home win over Norwich City tonight.
"That is out of my hands, my job is to deliver on the pitch and show what I am about. That is all I can do, keep putting in the performances and the end product.
"If it happens then it happens, if it doesn't it doesn't. I can only control what I am doing. It is not on my mind, the more you think about these situations which are not in your control, the more it plays on your mind and affects you."
