Liverpool 'launch scouting mission' after Naby Keita gave transfer recommendation

Liverpool have run the rule over Saint-Etienne starlet Saidou Sow after the talented teenager was flagged to the Reds hierarchy by his international teammate, Naby Keita.

Jurgen Klopp is currently in the market for new recruits ahead of the upcoming 2022/23 campaign, where his side will be hoping to wrestle the Premier League title away from Manchester City after they were pipped to the domestic crown by their rivals on the final day of last season.

Although Liverpool's stunning mega-money pursuit of Benfica hotshot Darwin Nunez has captured the attention of the world, the Reds are seemingly always scouring the market for any standout players for the future - and they may have unearthed another gem in the form of Sow.

According to L'Equipe, via InsideFutbol, Liverpool sent scouts to make a personal check on Sow during Guinea's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Egypt last Sunday. The defender played the full 90 minutes as Guinea fell to a 1-0 defeat, but Sow marshalled a backline that managed to keep Reds talisman Mohamed Salah quiet in Cairo.

Sow played alongside Keita, who is a big advocate of the 19-year-old and even flagged him to the talent-spotters at Anfield. Sow is highly-rated at Saint Etienne and made 14 appearances for the French outfit last term; although he couldn't prevent them from slipping out of Ligue 1.

However, Sow could be spared from playing in the second tier if Liverpool do decide to firm up their interest with a summer move. Sow is contracted until Saint-Etienne until the summer of 2025, but a concrete bid would test their resolve over the teenager, who has already won eight caps for his country.

The Reds have already bolstered their ranks with the signing of Fulham whizkid Fabio