Maxime Lopez has claimed that Liverpool offered him the chance to replace Philppe Coutinho.
Lopez is currently midway through a breakthrough season for Marseille and has attracted interest from several Premier League clubs, including Arsenal and Chelsea.
But the 19-year-old alleges that he was in line for a move to Anfield after talks were held over a potential deal, which would have seen him succeed Coutinho.
“They [Liverpool] said to me, ‘in five years you get Coutinho’s place’,” he told L’Equipe.
“They approached me in a good way. I even met Steven Gerrard at the stadium after a game.
“I wanted to go there, but also to stay at Marseille. To go like that, at this age and even with your family, is very hard.
“I had noticed that they had thirty young professional players, not to mention the incumbents. You really have to be mentally prepared.”