'I was set to join Real Madrid but Liverpool boss rang and I joined them instead'

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The Spaniard had already agreed personal terms with Los Blancos but a phone call from then Reds manager Rafael Benitez changed everything.Now, almost two decades later, the roles have reversed, with Real Madrid set to get the better of Liverpool by striking a deal to land Yan Diomande. The Reds completed the signing back in the summer of 2010 from his hometown club Cadiz.Suso, then merely a teenager, initially joined on loan until he was old enough to obtain a work permit to play professionally.

He later explained that Benitez, Liverpool's manager at the time, persuaded him to make the move to Anfield that summer, despite the player being on the verge of joining the La Liga giants after they had tabled a substantial offer for him.Benitez, himself Spanish, sat down with the player and his family to sell Liverpool's vision, while also making it clear just how highly he rated the young Spaniard. He succeeded in convincing Suso to turn his back on Madrid in favour of Liverpool, though Benitez would leave Anfield by mutual consent that very same summer on June 3, meaning Suso never actually featured under the manager who signed him.Suso later told Cope: "I had agreed on a contract with Real Madrid, and the transfer was basically done, but then Rafael Benitez called me and told me he had a lot of confidence in me and that I should go to Liverpool.

I love this club and it is the best for me."Suso put pen to paper on his first professional contract on his 17th birthday in November 2010. He went on to develop through Liverpool's youth ranks and reserves before earning his breakthrough under Brendan Rodgers during the 2012/13 campaign.Thousands of fans upgraded their Premier League matchday last season.