Liverpool star Mo Salah has been working with teenager Rafa Camacho in training to help mould him into a future star.
Rafa Camacho impressed during pre-season putting in some eye-catching performances and was able to showcase his versatility by thriving at both full-back and in an attacking role.
The Lisbon-born prospect has put his impressive summer down to advice picked up from Mo Salah and Sadio Mane.
“Because I’m a winger I tend to look more at Salah and Mane,” he said in the Liverpool Echo. “I try to pick up things from them on what they do, even just from the drills in training.
“Just being here means I can also ask them about anything they can teach me.
“Knowing you are coming in every day to train with the first team is really good. I would say I feel like a more improved player for being here.”
The 5ft 8in winger scored 13 goals last season and provided six assists, according to Transfermarkt, and is eyeing his senior debut this season after being an unused sub for the Merseyside derby at Goodison last term.
The 18-year-old said, “Being on the bench for that game in the Premier League makes me want to experience it more.
“It makes me want to work hard and give everything I’ve got to actually be able to play in the team in a big game like that.
“In 12-months’ time I want to play a big part in the Premier League and the cup games for Liverpool. I want to be getting minutes on the pitch.”
OPINION
Camacho couldn’t be learning from anyone better than Mohamed Salah. Not only is the Egyptian one of the best players in the world right now, but his grounded personality will help to keep the youngsters head down and focus on continuing to improve. The 18-year-old clearly has the desire to push on and establish himself in Klopp’s first team with his goal of playing cup games and getting in the Premier League side by the end of this season. Camacho’s form last term has proved he could be ready for a call up after he played a key role in the Under-18 Premier League side, and has since impressed during this summer’s pre-season. The only problem seems to be Liverpool’s current strength in depth when it comes to the first team, where would Camacho fit in there? Salah and Mane won’t be losing their spots anytime soon and with Adam Lallana and £13million new signing Xherdan Shaqiri as cover, the young Portuguese winger may have to wait a while for his chance.