Swiss news outlets have been unafraid to build hype around Liam, an attacking midfielder described as a “jewel” who has similar traits to his father - most notably, his preference for his left foot.

He has learned his trade inside the club’s youth system, which has produced world-class talents such as Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka, Lyon star Xherdan Shaqiri and Germany-based goalkeeper Yann Sommer in recent years. The departure of other Basel players during the January transfer window appears to have cleared room for his senior opportunity and triggered his call-up to the senior ranks.

But there is a potentially cruel twist in this heartwarming tale for Socceroos fans: Liam has only spent roughly six months of his life on Australian soil, mostly for Christmas visits, and has already represented Switzerland, where he lives with his mother, in several junior age groups.

He does, however, have strong emotional ties to the green and gold, which stretch back to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa where he watched his father play as a child.

“He still loves Australia,” Scott said.

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“He met with [Football Australia interim technical director] Trevor Morgan before Christmas, he just touched base with him. But he was born in Switzerland, he’s gone through the Swiss juniors and the Swiss national teams now.

“I don’t know what the future holds, though. We’ve seen a lot of players in the past that haven’t been to Australia but they’ve played for Australia, these days.”

Scott is planning on making a visit to Switzerland later this year, but has always been happy to sit back and watch Liam’s football journey unfold, rather than using his own experience to try and shape or guide it.

“We always have a kick-around in the backyard or go to the park and that, but I never really tried to tell him how to play,” he said. “Basel’s got the best junior set-up in Switzerland. All the coaches are good, so there’s no point me telling him one thing and his coaches something else.

“The development is very good, and they give the young ones a game. If they’re good enough, they’ll play. And in Switzerland, it pretty much is a development league, too. They like to give their young players a game and if they’re good enough, they’ll sell them onto other clubs.”

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