Jurgen Klopp makes intriguing claim about one-time Liverpool target Sander Berge

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Sander Berge has been a Liverpool target before – will Jurgen Klopp make another move for him after Genk’s Champions League display at Anfield?

It’s a little too early to suggest that we are on the verge of a ‘Golden Generation’ of Norwegian footballers but the fact that the brilliant Sander Berge is only the third most exciting young talent to come out of the Scandinavian nation in recent years speaks volumes.

Thanks to compatriots Martin Odegaard and Erling Braut Haaland, Berge continues to fly somewhat under the radar despite winning the Belgian title with Genk last season. But after yet another masterful Champions League performance, this time at Anfield, the 6ft 5ins powerhouse is starting to be noticed.

The 21-year-old is aggressive yet cultured, rangy but elegant, and he looked at home during a daunting trio to the Kings of Europe as Genk suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat.

And, after the game, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp went out of his way to compliment Berge on his performance in the centre of the park.

“You are an interesting player, a very interesting player,” said Klopp, in quotes reported by VG.

Berge was understandably thrilled to catch the eye of a man who lifted the Champions League trophy aloft just six months ago.

“It was a great moment. It is nice. You take it with a smart smile,” said the youngster, who already has 18 international caps to his name. “It’s nice that such a reputable trainer comes away and says something like that.”

This is not the first time Berge has caught Klopp’s eye, however.

According to Estadio Deportivo, Liverpool sent scouts to watch the former Valerenga starlet in action on numerous occasions two years ago and, with Berge impressing in both group-stage games against the Reds, he might just have put himself on their radar again.

James Milner and Adam Lallana are both out of contract next summer so there will soon be room for a talented young midfielder at Anfield. And Berge won’t be far from Klopp’s mind.