Liverpool’s first impressions of Naby Keïta proved underwhelming. A scout had been dispatched to Red Bull Salzburg’s Champions League qualifier against Malmo in late August 2014. The Guinea midfielder was earmarked to start as the Austrian side sought to protect a 2-1, first-leg advantage.

Keïta, 19 at the time, had joined the club that summer from French side Istres on the recommendation of former Liverpool manager Gérard Houllier and word quickly spread, after an instant impression on the training ground, that he would be one to follow.

Salzburg were gaining a reputation for nurturing young talent with the club preparing to offload another African starlet in Sadio Mané, who was joining Southampton for £11.8 million and therefore not involved in the game in Sweden. To