Liverpool have backed away from making a move for Club Brugge winger Antonio Nusa, according to The Athletic journalist David Ornstein.

Brentford look poised to win the race for the Norwegian international after having a £25m bid accepted, but Ornstein has emphasised that the deal “is not done” yet.

Plenty of other clubs have been pursuing Nusa, including Chelsea, Tottenham, Newcastle and Jurgen Klopp’s side.

However, Ornstein says that, while the Reds “like” the player, they “cannot do anything” until they have a new manager and sporting director in place.

Why were Liverpool interested in the teenager?

The hype around the players is hard to understand if you look purely at his numbers at club level. Since turning professional, the forward has scored 10 goals and provided 4 assists in 77 appearances for Stabaek and Club Brugge.

Nusa has, though, impressed while playing for his national team. He scored and provided an assist on his debut for Norway in the 6-0 friendly win over Jordan back in September. He has subsequently created three more goals in European Championship qualifiers against Georgia and Cyprus.

Odegaard is a big fan of Nusa

Norway and Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is one of those who believes that the 18-year-old has massive potential. Speaking about the player after his international debut a few months ago, he said:

“Fantastic! He is an incredibly exciting player You see it, everything he gets the ball, it’s exciting. He is still young and will get even better. It was cool to see him. He deserved to get the chance that he takes it to such an extent. Incredibly cool!!”

“He must continue as he has done. Work hard, be humble. He’s a nice boy. Very calm and nice type. It’s going to be just fine. He just has to enjoy the football and continue to deliver as he does. Then it will be good.”