Otavio was not the only man in a Porto shirt who must have felt the temptation to burst into tears during September’s 5-1 home defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League group-stages.
The difference is, however, that the Portuguese midfielder let emotions get the better of him after just 14 short minutes at the Estadio do Dragao.
And it had nothing to do with the result either.
The scoreline was still 0-0 when Otavio departed proceedings inside a quarter of an hour, the cruellest of injuries robbing him the chance to make his mark against a side who had conquered the continent just two years earlier.
Will Otavio finally join Liverpool?
According to A Bola, Jurgen Klopp’s side were in advanced talks over a deal that would have seen Otavio swap Porto for Anfield for £35 million a few months earlier.
And while the 27-year-old was reluctant to give too much away, the look of sheer anguish on his face – as he hobbled off just four minutes before Mo Salah would set the ball rolling at the Dragao – told it’s own story.
“Whether they were interested or not, I don’t know,” said Otavio, who had also been linked with Leicester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers in recent transfer windows.
“But if there is any team interested in me, it would be for my work in both the league and the Champions League. We always have to give our best regardless of the competition.”
Perhaps Otavio feared that a golden opportunity to catch Klopp’s eye in the flesh had passed him by. But, then again, perhaps not.
In an age of private jets and endless online resources, scouting players in foreign countries has seldom been easier. Otavio is in the midst of another stellar season at Porto. He’s scored five goals and set up 12 more. So it will come as no surprise to learn that this Brazilian-born assist-machine still has his fair share of admirers.
Anfield-bound Otavio?
Especially with A Bola pointing out that Otavio is currently enjoying the best form of his career.
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Newcastle and Manchester United are eyeing the £50 million midfielder. As are Liverpool.
So wipe those tears from your eyes Otavio. Your hopes of a big-money move to Anfield did not die on that miserable September night in Porto.
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