Liverpool award trials to Newport County defender Regan Poole and Torquay keeper Dan Lavercombe

Liverpool have handed trials to Newport County defender Regan Poole and Torquay United goalkeeper Dan Lavercombe as they attempt to add to their impressive array of young players.

Both players will spend a week with the Reds' youth team as they try to impress the Anfield club, whose Melwood academy is regarded as one of the finest in the country.

Poole, 16, made 12 appearances for League Two Newport this season after winning his first-team debut against Shrewsbury Town. The Wales youth international has been watched by Fulham and Manchester United but the youngster remains very much in the Exiles' plans.

"Newport County have granted Regan permission to attend a week-long trial with the Merseyside club this week," a club statement read. "At the present time Regan is contracted to Newport County for the coming season."

Joining Poole is Torquay 'keeper Lavercombe who, after making five appearances for the Devon-based side in the Conference this season, will have the chance to impress the Premier League side.

Lavercombe kept three clean sheets appearing in Torquay's final five matches of the campaign and Gulls boss Chris Hargreaves is hopeful the 19-year-old can improve during his spell at Liverpool

"We're not talking about a permanent move for Dan, at least not yet," he said. "Liverpool have had him watched and like him, and they have asked us if they can have a closer look at him.

"It's a win-win situation for us – the worst that can happen is that Dan gets more good experience, a bit of Liverpool FC rubs off on him and he comes back to us the better for it.

"And we also set up a relationship between Torquay United and Liverpool which may help us in future."

The Liverpool academy is among the most fruitful in the top flight, with the likes of Jerome Sinclair, Sheyi Ojo, Jordon Ibe, Jordan Rossiter and Jordan Williams all being handed first-team experience this season.