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Liverpool recently had a scout in attendance to watch Sporting Club de Portugal defender Gonçalo Inácio in action.

That’s according to Record, who say Liverpool sent a scout to Alvalade to watch the game against Sturm Graz and the 22-year-old in particular.

They will have been left with a positive impression too as the centre-back took just 45 minutes to score two goals in the eventual 3-0 win.

That double was enough to earn him the nomination for the player of the week in the Europa League, which was eventually won by Sparta Prague’s Velko Birmancevic.

Nonetheless it was an impressive performances to say the least and watched over by Liverpool’s scout, who watched the game from one of the guest boxes at the stadium.

He was able to ‘confirm the good information’ that Liverpool have been collecting on the defender in recent months, with a transfer race developing for the 22-year-old.

Manchester United and Newcastle United are also keen on him as they look for a centre-back, with the English press even speculating that all three could be set to do battle for him in January.

Record don’t confirm as much but do believe January could bring proposals to the Portuguese side, even if they and manager Rúben Amorim have insistently repeated that core players will only leave if their release clauses are met.

Whether Liverpool are willing to do so to get Inácio isn’t made clear, but their interest is there nonetheless, with a scout at the club this week to complete their latest scouting mission.