Liverpool sent scouts to watch ‘amazing’ defender last night, his teammate caught their eye too

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Liverpool scouts were in Zenica last night to watch Portugal dismantle Bosnia and Herzegovina 5-0.

Diogo Jota was a 65th-minute substitute for Roberto Martinez’s side, but the Reds No.20 was not the focus of attention.

Instead, 90min claim that Liverpool talent-spotters were there to watch two players: Sporting’s Goncalo Inacio and Wolves forward Pedro Neto.

Inacio seems to have been the main focus, with the 22-year-old said to have been monitored for ‘well over a year’ by the Reds. The latest scouting trip was surely a success, with the centre-back grabbing himself an assist during the rout.

But, perhaps as an added bonus, Liverpool staff also managed to get a look at Neto, too. The Wolves man came on alongside Jota to play the final 25 minutes of the game.

As well as watching these two Portuguese stars, Reds scouts are said to have been keeping busy over the previous international break in September as well.

Then, two more centre-backs were on their watch-list. Another from Portugal, Antonio Silva – who didn’t play last night – and Italy’s Giorgio Scalvini were reportedly assessed last month.

Liverpool scouts out and about

By now, you’d think that Liverpool will have everything they need to make a well-informed decision on Inacio.

He now seems to have established himself in the Portuguese first XI and looks set to stay there – possibly alongside Silva in the future.

A left-footer, the Sporting man could be the perfect option to take over from Virgil van Dijk over the coming couple of years.

Recently described as ‘amazing’ by football journalist Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool won’t be the only ones interested in Inacio, though.

Just as they normally are, there would likely have been scouts from all kinds of team with their eye on him last night. Inacio’s talent is hardly a secret.

What Liverpool plan to do next perhaps depends on just how badly they want to sign the Portugal international. There have been claims that the Reds have assessed a January move, but for now nothing looks imminent.

As for Neto, he’s another well-known to be on the radar of plenty of clubs. Having seen him up close over recent years, Liverpool know full well what the 23-year-old can do. Last night’s performance shouldn’t affect things either way.