Winger Oussama Assaidi made his name in Dutch football before joining the Brendan Rodgers project in August 2012.

The Moroccan started out in the youth set-up at AZ before beginning his professional career in 2006-07 with Dutch first division side FC Omniworld, where he scored three goals in 36 appearances and impressed enough to earn a move to top-flight De Graafschap in 2008.However, he would appear just 17 times for his new club, who were relegated in 2008-09.

Five goals in as many games for Assaidi as the club acquainted itself with the Dutch second tier prompted another transfer into the Eredivisie, this time with SC Heerenveen - and it was here that the wide man would come to the attention of some of Europe's elite clubs.

Some eye-catching displays helped Heerenveen climb away from the dropzone but it wasn't until 2010-11, when new coach Ron Jans was installed, that he began to have a major impact in the final third.

The first six games of the campaign brought two goals and two assists - and that season Assaidi would go on to score a hat-trick against champions FC Twente. He also notched two assists and won a penalty during the 6-2 win.

Unsurprisingly, Morocco coach Erik Gerets was starting to take note and, though eligible to play for the Netherlands, Assaidi had no intention of deserting his country of birth, and he made his international debut as a substitute on February 9, 2011 againt Niger - replacing Adel Taarabt.

Back in Holland, he would end the season with a tally of nine goals and 13 assists in 31 league games. In 2011-12 he would increase his goals tally by one, scoring 10 in 27 league games to prompt reported interest from clubs at the top of Dutch football and in the Premier League. It was Liverpool who captured Assaidi's signature and he made his Reds debut in a 5-3 Europa League victory over Young Boys on September 20, 2012.