Liverpool scouts watched £52m man score twice for his club on Thursday

Add as preferred source on Google

Liverpool scouts were out and about to take in the Europa League action across the continent this week.

With Liverpool themselves playing in Belgium on Thursday, they reportedly deployed their talent-spotters to watch the other games.

Yesterday, reports emerged from Sweden crediting the Reds with a presence at Qarabag’s clash with Hacken. Liverpool were claimed to be watching 18-year-old Hacken winger Momodou Sonko.

And according to Portuguese outlet Record, Reds scouts were also in the stands to watch Sporting take on Sturm Graz.

The object of their attention is said to have been centre-back Goncalo Inacio. With Liverpool reportedly already gathering plenty of information on the 22-year-old, they are claimed to have been back in Lisbon for another look.

After Inacio scored twice following his introduction at half-time, the Reds delegates will have no doubt been happy with what they saw. However, Record claim that if they want to sign the Portugal international in January, Liverpool are going to have to pay his £52m release clause.

Liverpool keeping tabs on Goncalo

As the January window draws nearer, calls for Liverpool to bolster their defensive department will surely grow louder.

Having seen Joel Matip’s season prematurely ended, fans are nervous that the Reds don’t quite have enough.

You can understand where they’re coming from, too. There was already an expectation that they may bring someone in back in the summer. And although the surprise emergence of Jarell Quansah meant that that was no longer necessary, Matip’s injury has now re-balanced the numbers.

Four is perhaps enough to get Liverpool through until May. But given Ibrahima Konate’s chequered injury history, you wouldn’t bank on it.

With the Reds sitting top of the table, there’s a feeling that they need to kick on and plug a couple of holes in the squad in the New Year. Do that, and Liverpool have a real shot and going for glory.

In that scenario, Inacio would probably be many supporters’ choice as an additional centre-back.

Still only 22, the Sporting man has his best years firmly ahead of him. And given the potential he’s shown so far, those years could be especially bright.

Should he be signed, goals obviously aren’t what Inacio will be judged on. But burying two in-front of Liverpool’s recruitment team can have done his chances of an Anfield move no harm at all.