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Andreas Schjelderup has revealed his head was spinning when he was linked with Liverpool and it “hurt” to turn them down – but he is open to making a big move in the future.

Schjelderup has risen to prominence over the past couple of seasons with Nordsjaelland in Denmark. Not 18 until the summer, he already has 36 appearances at senior level to his name. From those, he has scored six goals and assisted four.

An attacking midfielder, he was previously on trial with Liverpool. Instead of joining their academy, though, he swapped the ranks of Bodo/Glimt in his native Norway for Nordsjaelland’s first team.

The move has paid off, which has justified his rejection of Liverpool (as well as fellow suitors Bayern Munich, Juventus and Ajax). However, upon reflection, the teenage talent has admitted he struggled to say no to the Premier League side.

He told Goal recently: “Of course, it was a bit hard (turning down Liverpool), because when you grow up, you watch the big names and then you hear that they want you, so your head starts to spin.

“But I got a lot of help from my father and agents, who helped me make the right decision.

“It hurt a little bit for me and my dad in our hearts (not to join Liverpool). But the move here was instead of going to an academy at Under-19 or Under-17 level.

“It felt like this step in the ocean was the right one for me. I was in the Under-19s team when I got started, but I knew when I was ready that I could take a step up to the first team.

“But at the club, they said they didn’t expect me to get there this quick! I planned to do it sooner than they thought, and my plan worked.

“Of course, maybe I can go to a big team in the future. In the long run, for me, this was the best step. When I am ready, I will take the next step.”

Andreas Schjelderup inspired by Haaland, Odegaard

Schjelderup has been likened to Jack Grealish, a comparison he humbly welcomes. But he is mainly taking inspiration from some of his international colleagues.

Pointing to Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland and Arsenal attacking midfielder Martin Odegaard, the 17-year-old revealed how he has aspirations to make the grade for his country.

He added: “The last 20 years has not been the best for Norway. We have not been in the big championships for a long time.

“But we have players like Haaland and Odegaard coming up. There’s also my former team-mate, who plays at Frankfurt, Jens Petter Hauge, who helps me, and also all the players in the age-group teams.

“It looks like the future is bright for Norway, so we hope to make it a reality.

“When I see what these guys are doing and that they are from Norway, you look at them and you get inspiration.”

Only time will tell if he gets to become a senior player for Norway. In addition, it is not yet clear whether Liverpool could revive an interest in the playmaker in the future.

READ MORE: Liverpool lock horns with Man Utd after contract snub sees 40-goal striker transfer ramp up

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