Marseille's Lopez was told he'd be Liverpool's next Coutinho
Marseille teen sensation Maxime Lopez admits that he turned down an advance from Liverpool despite promises of being the next Philippe Coutinho.
Amid a debut first-team breakout campaign with Olympique, Lopez, 19, has been the recipient of plaudits, including comparisons to two other Marseille-born midfield talents - Zinedine Zidane and Samir Nasri.
It seems that praise isn't new, with Lopez admitting that Liverpool tried to lure him to Anfield in 2014 with lofty expectations.
"They told me: 'In five years, you'll play in Coutinho's position.' They really sang my praises. I even met Steven Gerrard in the stadium after the match," Lopez told L'Equipe, courtesy of ESPN FC.
A No. 10 by trade known for incisive through balls, Coutinho's role has changed under Jurgen Klopp, with the Brazilian international sliding into a left-sided spot in the German's front three alongside countryman Roberto Firmino and opposite Senegalese speedster Sadio Mane.
Lopez mans the central playmaking role Coutinho once held, and with Marseille, the academy product has enjoyed a stellar campaign, making 21 appearances for the club.
A part of Marseille's youth set-up when the Merseysiders came calling, despite the complimentary comparison, Lopez admits that the timing wasn't right for a move to the English top flight.
"I wanted to go there, but also to stay at OM. To leave like that, at that age even if my family would have gone too, it was very hard," Lopez added. "I had noted that they had 30-odd young professional players, not even counting the first team. You really have to be ready mentally."
That may have been the best chance to snatch up the emerging star, with Marseille signing Lopez to a contract extension in February through 2021. That hasn't curbed the plaudits from potential suitors, with family friend and fellow Cote d'Azur born Zidane echoing the accolades of the rising star.
"He has always had exceptional natural talent for his age and size," the Real Madrid boss told reporters. "It's really breathtaking what he does, not only at his age, because age nowadays means nothing, but it's above all the personality he has in his game.
"That is to say he's someone who runs a lot, but he plays a lot too, and makes others play as well. So, I'm not surprised."