‘I really like him’ – Liverpool boss Klopp reveals he’s a big fan of Arsenal star Odegaard and wanted him at Dortmund

LIVERPOOL manager Jurgen Klopp admitted ahead of Sunday’s clash at the Emirates that he is a big fan of Arsenal star Martin Odegaard.

Odegaard, 23, has stood out at the Gunners since 2021 when he was loaned out from Real Madrid ahead of his final move last summer.

2

2

The attacking midfielder proves why he was considered one of the hottest young talents as a teenager before joining Real at 17.

However, the Norway international struggled to break through to the first-team and has been sent on various loans to Heerenveen, Vitesse, Real Sociedad and of course Arsenal, where he is now captain.

Klopp admitted he tried to sign him at Borussia Dortmund when he was in charge before the 23-year-old opted for Real instead.

The German tactician, whose side currently lack luster in midfield, insists Odegaard shouldn’t regret turning him down as the challenges he faced made him the player he is today.

Klopp told TV2: “I like him a lot. Nowadays it’s easy. At the beginning of his career, when he was at Real Madrid, it was a bit more difficult. Then it looked like it wasn’t going to go its way.”

“I was very disappointed because we wanted him in Dortmund from a very young age.

“We had a long talk when he was a boy with his father.

“In the end he chose Madrid and that’s fine, but that’s why I’ve always followed him.

FREE BETS AND SIGN UP OFFERS – THE BEST OFFERS FOR NEW CUSTOMERS

“You can only imagine how much talent, huge talent, crazy talent I’ve seen in this industry over the course of quite a while.

“At that time Martin was 15 years old and already playing in Norway. The whole world went crazy.

“Up to the age of 15 he probably didn’t experience any hardship. After that, a lot went against him.

“It makes him the person he is now, the man he is now and the player he is now.

“I’m really happy that he’s now become the player we all expected him to be. If you will, even better. He plays a huge role in an incredibly strong Arsenal team.”