Jose Mourinho makes U-turn on star Liverpool are ‘following’ after World Cup evidence

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Andreas Schjelderup has been linked with a move to Liverpool, with the winger having previously turned down a move to Anfield in 2020 before catching the eye at the World CupJose Mourinho delivered a glowing verdict on Andreas Schjelderup's progression at Benfica - a player Liverpool are said to be tracking at the World Cup. The now-Real Madrid manager had previously praised the winger's transformation under his stewardship in Lisbon, having been considerably less flattering about Schjelderup's performances earlier in the campaign.According to Tutto Mercato, Liverpool are amongst a number of European sides keeping tabs on Schjelderup's development - having impressed for Norway at the World Cup.

Several years on, Schjelderup is an entirely different proposition - one Mourinho described as 'nothing comparable' to the version he inherited when he assumed control at Benfica in September."Schjelderup is Schjelderup - he struggles for 90 minutes, he struggles with intensity and the sacrifice of transitions," Mourinho had said at the beginning of his spell.The Norwegian didn't see his game time increase until the new year, when he began to feature more consistently from kick-off. Latest Reds news and more on our dedicated Facebook pageBy the final fixture of the campaign, Mourinho had altered his view of the 22-year-old.During a press conference before the concluding match of the Portuguese season against Estoril in May, Mourinho said: "Look, I spoke to him yesterday or the day before and said that he had a lot of reasons to be very proud of himself."Comparing the Schjelderup of months ago with the Schjelderup of today is impossible.

I was in the under-19s team when I got started, but I knew when I was ready that I could take a step up to the first team."But at the club, they said they didn't expect me to get there this quick! When I am ready, I will take the next step."At the World Cup, Schjelderup has been lining up alongside Erling Haaland, though his contributions have come from the bench during Norway's victories over Iraq and Senegal.