Bobby Adekanye, dubbed the Nigerian Messi in his homeland, has reiterated that he's hoping to make his debut for Liverpool before the end of the 2017-2018 season, having trained with the first-team on a number of occasions.

The 18-year-old winger received words of encouragement from Reds manager Jürgen Klopp before he started working out with the first-teamers.

''Hopefully, then, my dream comes true, and that's the first time in Liverpool,'' said Adekanye to voetbalzone.nl.

''He said some good things to me: Klopp said I should not be too nervous and just show myself. He said that I had to enjoy it and that's right because, if I enjoy, I get the best out of my game.

''Klopp is a good trainer and gives the youth players who want to work for him the chance. I am willing to work hard and we will see where it goes.''

The former PSV, Ajax Amsterdam and Barcelona wonderkid comes off contract with Liverpool in June 2018, and hopes to sign a new deal.

Igho Kingsley