Liverpool have been pursuing a deal for Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak for over eight years, it has been revealed.

The Liverpool Echo says at 16, Oblak was one of the most highly-rated teenage goalkeepers in Europe, already establishing himself with Slovenian side Olimpija Ljubljana.

The Reds were seemingly interested in bringing Oblak on trial and had travelled to Merseyside to watch Liverpool's 2-1 defeat to Arsenal in December 2009.

But after picking up an injury, Oblak would return to his homeland, signing for Benfica the following summer in a £1.5million deal.

Liverpool are said to be lining up Oblak as a replacement for Simon Mignolet, who has opened the door to leaving Anfield this month.