When Liverpool face Brighton & Hove Albion at the AMEX Community Stadium today, Evan Ferguson could be in the starting line-up.
The 18-year-old scored his first goal for the Seagulls against Arsenal on New Year's Day, becoming Brighton's youngest ever Premier League goal scorer and quickly followed it up with another against Everton three days later when he made is first Premier League start.
Brighton's 4-1 triumph at Goodison also included an assist for the impressive teenager but had he chosen a different path, the Irishman could easily have been a Liverpool player right now. Ferguson came to the attention of a host of top clubs after playing for Bohemians in a preseason match against Chelsea in 2019, aged just 14.
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He would eventually join Brighton in 2021, but not before having trials with Liverpool, Everton, Manchester United and Celtic, but it was the Reds who pushed hard for his signature. Ultimately he would join the Seagulls and speaking back in May (as per Sussex Live) he explained why he opted for development on the south coast instead of Merseyside.
Ferguson said: "It came down to the fact that if you come to Brighton it's a pathway through. If you go to a team such as Liverpool then they can buy a striker for £60million to £70million. At Brighton, they like to bring their academy players through and give them a chance. I'd say that was the reason, looking long term rather than short term. So I'd say that this was the final reason."
Ferguson has three goals in six first team appearances in all competitions this season and with Leandro Trossard dropped from today's Brighton squad, his chances of starting against Jurgen Klopp's side this afternoon look favourable.
Prolific form for Brighton's U21s have also earned him a call-up to the Republic of Ireland's senior squad, justifying his decision to join Brighton when he made the step up from Irish club football.
Ferguson's decision was backed up by his Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi on Friday. Speaking to Sussex Live in his pre-match press conference, De Zerbi said: "You can choose what you think and what your values are. I am happy Ferguson stayed with us and I think he can improve a lot playing better here than staying on the bench at a bigger team."
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