Liverpool ace Roberto Firmino is a Marseille reject, it has been revealed.

Firmino trialled with OM as a youth teamer alongside fellow junior pro Maeda.

Maeda recalled to Canal+: "He arrived quietly in Marseille. He stayed at OM for a little over a month.

"Already during the first training sessions, he was playing very well. Once he trained with the professionals.

"He scored a goal with a beautiful move. He was very happy. All the coaches around the field loved Roberto.

"I thought he would stay at OM."

However, Firmino was sent back to Brazil before two years later in 2011 he signed for Hoffenheim.