“I really like him” – Jurgen Klopp raves about Martin Odegaard ahead of Arsenal trip

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has admitted that he still follows Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard’s development despite his failed attempt to sign him years back.

Klopp, who was at Dortmund during the time, tried to sign young Odegaard, who was developing himself into a professional footballer at boyhood club Stromsgodset. 

The German tactician’s dream of managing Odegaard at Dortmund was cut short after Real Madrid beat the likes of Dortmund and other few European clubs to the signing of the Norway international.

Klopp, who confirmed that he had several talks with the player and his father before he lost the battle to Madrid, believes Odegaard’s struggle at Santiago Bernabeu has helped him become the player and captain he is today at Arsenal and Norway.

Speaking to TV2: “I really like him. It’s easy [on the pitch] these days. It was a bit more difficult at the start of his career when he was at Real Madrid. Then it looked like it might not go his way. I was really disappointed by that, because we wanted him in Dortmund when he was very young.

“We had a long conversation when he was still a boy, together with his father. In the end he decided on Madrid, and that’s fine, but that’s why I’ve always followed him.

“[His development] is very, very impressive. You can only imagine how many talents, huge talents, ‘crazy’ talents, I have seen over the course of quite a while in this industry. At the time, Martin was 15 years old and already playing in Norway. The whole world went berserk.

“Until he was 15, he probably experienced no hardship. After that, a lot of things 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 has now become the player we all expected him to become. In fact, even better than that, if you will. He plays a massive role in an incredibly strong Arsenal team.

“He’s still young, clear in his head, very influential. I honestly can’t say anything negative about him. Really a top player.”

Liverpool will take a trip to north London to face in-form Arsenal in the Premier League, coming off the back of a frustrating 3-3 draw at home to Brighton and Hove Albion last weekend.

Before the Emirate clash that would present Martin Odegaard the chance to come up against Jurgen Klopp, the Anfield side will host Rangers in the Champions League.

Struggling Reds started their Champions League campaign with a disappointing 4-1 loss at Napoli but returned back to winning ways with a tight 2-1 win at home against Ajax.