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For some, he remains “the one that got away.” For others, he elicits the most indifferent of “mehs”. Suso, formerly of Liverpool until as recent as January 2015, has been reflecting on his growing importance at AC Milan. And as has tended to be the case recently, there were once again noises about a potential return to Anfield - only this time, the noises have come from the player himself.
Speaking to Fabrizio Romano, the attacking midfielder - still only just 24 years of age - spoke warmly of his time with Liverpool, despite exiting rather quietly after several years in the Reds’ youth and senior setup.
“I did not play that much but I got to know Steven Gerrard and be a team-mate of players such as Luis Súarez, Philippe Coutinho and Jamie Carragher,” remembered Suso. “I’ll never forget my experience at Liverpool.”
“Premier League football is different, I would call it special,” he added. “I would like to play for Liverpool again some day. I grew up there and it is a big club.”
Asked about his experience playing for Milan (who will finish their Serie A campaign no higher than sixth - more than 30 points behind Juventus), the Spanish midfielder noted that he is “very happy” with his current club, but interestingly also emphasized that he has a release clause (believed to be in the region of €40 million), and that “if [Milan] wants to continue to be among the top sides and count on me then I am here for them.”
There was always no small degree of hype around Suso, who arrived in England at the tender age of 16, but things never quite took off the way many expected at Liverpool. He’s seen more consistent minutes and turned in more consistent performances under Gennaro Gattuso, notching 6 goals and 7 assists during the domestic campaign and establishing himself as a key element of the Milan squad.
Still, the prospect of his return to Anfield at this stage remains more of an interesting thought experiment than a real possibility, just like the discussions about Luis Alberto, the other young Spanish former Liverpool midfielder (who enjoyed an arguably more impressive season at Lazio). We’re on the cusp on silly season, so expect more of these rumors over the next few weeks.