Reds in scouting trip to China
Liverpool have today sent a scouting team to China in a bid to ensure they are at the forefront when it comes to signing up the best young talent the Asian market has to offer.
The Academy's director of recruitment, Stuart Webber will embark upon a six-day trip to the Far East where he will run the rule over two new trialists at an U17 tournament, as well as developing links with the Chinese FA.
It is all part of the club's attempts to enhance their scouting network on a global scale and Webber believes it represents an exciting project for everyone involved.
He told Liverpoolfc.tv: "It's a fantastic opportunity both for myself and the club. The trip has come about on the back of the first team being out in that part of the world during the pre-season.
"We felt there was a need to go and have a look at a few players. There's a tournament out there and we will also want to spend some time with the Chinese FA.
"We'll basically continue to build the links between Liverpool and what is potentially a fantastic market for us.
"It would be great if we could bring through a player from that part of the world one day. We have millions of supporters over there and it's important we scout there as well as across the rest of the world.
"We are confident we will find a player somewhere like this one day and it is important we step up our efforts now."
The Reds have already begun to make inroads in the Asian market and welcomed two Korean youngsters to the Kirkby Academy back in May.
The duo may not have made the impact required at our youth-base but Webber feels it is crucial for the club to continue to run the rule over the latest talent emerging from that part of the world.
He said: "We have already arranged for two young players to come on trial and I am really excited about looking at them in their own environment later this week.
"We are then going to bring them over here to Kirkby in September where we can have a look at them and see how they handle our style of football.
"It's really exciting and hopefully I will get out there and decide that there are even more players that we will have to look to bring over. It really does have the potential to be an exciting project for the club."