LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, September 24, 2016: Liverpool's manager Jürgen Klopp during the FA Premier League match against Hull City at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Jurgen Klopp orders scouting mission to assess Barcelona B squad – report

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is believed to be casting his eye towards Barcelona’s reserve side, currently operating in the Spanish second tier.

The Reds have already moved to add to their academy ranks this season, with the signing of 15-year-old centre-back Emeka Obi from Bury FC believed to have been completed last week.

Klopp has underlined his faith in youth throughout his spell on Merseyside so far, and this could be set to continue in the coming transfer windows, according to reports from Spain.

Spanish publication Sport have revealed that Liverpool’s scout for Spain and Portugal, Kiko Espinar, has been spotted at Barcelona B games in recent weeks.

They continue that it is “unknown” as to which players Espinar is taking a particular interest in, but then go on to speculate as to four possible targets.

These are centre-back Marlon, right-back Nili, central midfielder Wilfrid Kaptoum and forward Marc Cardona.

The veracity of these claims is questionable, however, given Marlon is currently only on loan at Barcelona B, with the 21-year-old still on the books with Brazilian side Fluminense.

BIRKENHEAD, ENGLAND - Sunday, September 11, 2016: Liverpool's Juanma in action against Leicester City during the FA Premier League 2 Under-23 match at Prenton Park. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Nevertheless, it is certainly possible that Klopp has tasked Espinar to keep an eye on Barcelona’s youth ranks, having already moved for one of their alumni in Juanma.

The Spaniard joined the Reds after a successful trial in August, and has now established himself as a regular for the Liverpool Under-23s.

A left-sided centre-back who is also able to play at left-back, Juanma has the potential to make the step up to Klopp’s first team in the coming years.

He would likely welcome the addition of more players from Barcelona’s La Masia academy, and given Klopp’s focus on technical quality along with a relentless work ethic, the likes of Nili and Kaptoum could hope to slot in.

The winter transfer window opens on January 1, and it may be worth keeping an eye on Liverpool’s movements in Spain when the new year comes around.

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