Especially when the young player in question is a fellow Finn who has already made quite an impression for the Reds? Academy side.

Finnish attacking midfielder Lauri Dalla Valle scored 20 goals for the Under 18s last season, and more of the same was expected this term after stepping up to the reserves.

A succession of injuries have hampered his progress this term, but great things are expected of the young man who has already been linked with a £3.5m move to Fulham.

Anfield is the place he wants to carry on learning his trade though, and he says: ?I?m really happy here. I want to play for the first team one day.?

Valle trained with Inter for a while, and has been tracked by Chelsea, Ajax, AC Milan and Barcelona ? not bad for an 18-year-old.

With Kenny Dalglish on hand to guide him through the ranks, Lauri is in very good hands where he is. He also sees Finnish icon Hyypia as a perfect role model.

He says: ?Sami is someone I?m looking up to. Even though he?s a defender, he was such an inspiration for the whole club and he played many games for the first team as well. I hope I?ll do the same.?

As for the future and his growing reputation, he adds: ?It?s amazing to know that great teams may be interested in me. I work hard and I love playing football, but right now I want to do it only at Liverpool.?

So what does he think about comparisons people have drawn between himself and Fernando Torres, not to mention Wayne Rooney.

?I?ve been compared to Fernando before, but I?ve never heard about the Rooney one. They are both very talented and it?s fantastic to be compared with them. I watch them on television and I hope to be as successful as they are.?