Liverpool are intensifying their pursuit of Derby County midfielder Will Hughes.
Reds boss Brendan Rodgers sent chief scout Dave Fallows to watch the England Under-21 international, who is seen as a potential long-term replacement for Steven Gerrard.
Hughes, 18, limped out of Tuesday night's Championship draw at Bolton with a hip injury, but had already shown his class with an assist for a goal.
Hughes was also checked out by a two-man delegation from Everton, but Liverpool are favourites to land him - possibly in the January window, says the Mirror.
