Arsenal teenager Brooke Norton-Cuffy has claimed that he rejected the chance to join Liverpool.
Speaking to The Beautiful Game Podcast, Norton-Cuffy said that he had a trial with The Reds after leaving Chelsea. However, the Arsenal prospect rejected Liverpool to sign with the Gunners.
“I went on trial at, Tottenham, Arsenal of course, I think I went on trial at Liverpool,” said the young right-back. “I went all over the place, loads of clubs and obviously I signed for Arsenal. I kind of brushed off all the other clubs. My dad was like ‘try this club, try this club,’ but I liked Arsenal.”
It’s a shame that Liverpool couldn’t convince Norton-Cuffy to join them. The youngster looks like an excellent prospect, having excelled at Lincoln City last season.
Liverpool miss out on Norton-Cuffy
Had Liverpool been able to secure Norton-Cuffy, there’s no guarantee that he would have made his way through the academy.
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However, given his clear talent, there’s a good chance that he would have. In which case, Liverpool could have saved themselves a few quid this summer.
Obviously, Norton-Cuffy wouldn’t be getting in the team ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold. Such is his quality though, he could have made an able deputy heading into this season.
The 18-year-old showed his potential whilst on-loan at Lincoln in League One last year. Joining in January, he quickly become a key player the Imps, making 17 appearances, scoring once and providing one assist.
He has also just been part of England’s successful U19 European Championship winning team, playing in all five games.
Having now returned to Arsenal, he could be in-line to be part of Mikel Arteta’s first-team squad this season.
Liverpool, for their part, have secured the signing of Calvin Ramsay from Aberdeen. Big things are expected of the 18-year-old, who looks every bit as big-a prospect of Norton-Cuffy.
Had things gone to plan six years ago though, Liverpool might have already been sorted in that department.