Liverpool are all in on NEXT Karim Benzema

Liverpool are in the market for attacking upgrades amid uncertainty over the futures of several stars. Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez lead the candidates tipped for a summer transfer window departure with both strikers available if the right bids materialise.

Federico Chiesa and Luis Diaz could ALSO depart, meaning Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes re-building their strike line for next season.

READ MORE: Kaoru Mitoma OPENS door to Liverpool transfer

Slot favours versatility in his attackers and one name previously in the frame was Rayan Cherki of Lyon. A gifted, two-footed playmaker, the 21-year-old can play on either wing or else in behind a frontman.

READ MORE: Hugo Ekitike is BEGGING to be Liverpool's first €100m signing

He scored the equaliser in last week’s 2-2 UEFA Europa League quarter-final first leg against Manchester United, capitalising on yet another Andre Onana error.

And it’s been revealed that Liverpool scouts were in attendance for the tie, alongside representatives of Arsenal, Tottenham, Aston Villa, Newcastle and Manchester City.

That’s according to a new report in TBR Football as the race for France under-21 international Cherki hots up.

Liverpool scouts LOVE Cherki

“Some of England’s biggest clubs all had scouts in attendance at Thursday’s game,” a report reads. “Arsenal scouts were at the Groupama Stadium watching Cherki, as were representatives from Manchester City, Liverpool, Newcastle and Tottenham.”

Recruitment staff from all sides were left PURRING after yet another star showing from Cherki, who is reported to have a gentleman’s agreement to leave his hometown club this summer should a £19 million bid come in.

“TBR Football sources have also confirmed that all the scouts love Cherki and wonder just how good he could become,” the report continues before likening the attacker to another famous Lyon academy graduate who conquered the football world.

“Indeed, some feel he could have the career trajectory of Karim Benzema, who started at Lyon and went on to become one of the best forwards in the world at Real Madrid.”

Rayan Cherki is a 'genius'

Cherki emerged as a Liverpool target ahead of the winter transfer window although no deal was ultimately done in January.

But the schemer is destined for greatness, with former Arsenal star and current Lyon teammate Ainsley Maitland-Niles describing his colleague as a genius.

"He is the best natural talent I've ever seen," the midfielder told BBC Sport. "An absolute master, a wizard with the ball.

"He is taking chances, assists and dragging us up the pitch by taking people on and nutmegging them - he is a genius.”

READ MORE: £100m midfielder confirms he is DESTINED to join Liverpool

Cherki has got 11 goals and 18 assists across 38 appearances in all competitions this season and his current contract expires in 2026.