Former Liverpool forward Emile Heskey believes 18-year-old Mexican wonderkid Gilberto Mora would be better served moving to Anfield than Arsenal, citing the Reds' unrivalled football heritage

Emile Heskey reckons Mexican prodigy Gilberto Mora would be better off joining Liverpool rather than Arsenal owing to their superior footballing legacy.

Mora has emerged as one of the most coveted young prospects in global football since becoming Mexico's youngest-ever international last year at 16 years and 257 days old.

The attacking midfielder, who celebrated his 18th birthday last month, represented his nation at the World Cup this summer and has already clocked up more than 60 appearances for his local side Tijuana.

OPINION

Liverpool is amongst numerous top European sides tracking Mora's development, with Champions League runners-up Arsenal recently reported to hold strong interest.

However, former Reds striker Heskey remains convinced that Anfield would prove a superior destination to the Emirates for the Mexican teenager, reports the Liverpool Echo.

"How could I convince Gilberto Mora to join Liverpool over Arsenal? Heritage," he said. "That's it. He'd probably get more game time at Liverpool, but it's just the football heritage, the passion of the club, everything.

"Nothing compares. You have to show them rather than just telling them.

"When you go to the club, when you walk around the stadium, when you walk around the trophy room, when you walk around the training ground and get that feel for it, that'll draw you straight in.

"You feel the history and you think to yourself 'I want to make history with this club like those players'."

Heskey became Liverpool's record signing upon his arrival from Leicester City for £11million in March 2000, going on to claim the FA Cup, two League Cups, the UEFA Cup and the UEFA Super Cup during his time at Anfield.

Speaking to BestBettingSites, Heskey revealed: "The only thing for me was because of John Barnes, I supported Liverpool. So whenever anyone came in (with an offer), it was 'well, I want to go to Liverpool'. It was a little bit different for me.

"I wanted to join because I loved the club and to follow in my idol John Barnes's footsteps. I also wanted to join because of the football heritage and for the opportunity to win the biggest trophies.

"Liverpool gives you some of the best opportunities to do that."