Two defenders scouted by Liverpool during international break

Liverpool scouted young centre backs Antonio Silva and Giorgio Scalvini during the international break, according to one report.

The Reds did not make any additions to their backline during the summer transfer window, despite concerns over the squad's defensive depth.

Ibrahima Konate has missed Liverpool's last two games with a hamstring issue, while Virgil van Dijk is serving a two-match suspension following his red card at Newcastle.

In addition, back-up right-back Conor Bradley is likely to miss much of the first half of the 2023/24 season with an injury, while Nat Phillips and Calvin Ramsay left on loan to Celtic and Preston North End.

Liverpool were known to be specifically looking for a younger, left-sided centre-back during the summer months, with Levi Colwill of interest before he signed new terms at Chelsea.

Anfield Watch understands that the Reds have set aside a budget of around £60m to recruit a new defender in the upcoming transfer windows, with the position still a priority for the recruitment team.

To that end, 90min report that Liverpool scouts were in attendance at Portugal's 1-0 win over Slovakia and Italy's 2-1 victory against Ukraine in order to cast an eye over teenage prospects Silva and Scalvini, respectively.

The report claims that as well as Liverpool scouts, those representing Manchester United, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund were all also in attendance at the Tehelne pole Stadium in Slovakia to see Silva in action.

The 19-year-old, who plays his club football for Benfica, kept a clean sheet and played the full 90 minutes of Friday's Euro 2024 qualifier, during which Liverpool's Diogo Jota remained on the bench.

Meanwhile, it is said that both Liverpool's and United's representatives also took in Scalvini's performance at San Siro on Tuesday.

Also 19, the Italian is a regular for Atalanta, making 34 appearances for the Bergamo side in 2022/23.

It is worth noting that both Scalvini and Silva are right footed.

Anfield Watch understands that Sporting CP's Gonçalo Inacio could be a player the Reds re-ignite their interest in this January, as they continue to look for the right defensive recruits, while AZ's versatile Yukinari Sugawara is another player of interest – albeit for a different role.

Inacio has a €60m (£51.5m) release clause in the extension he signed in August, while Sugawara's contract is due to expire in 2025.