Liverpool Interested in South American Duo Excelling in Serie A – Report

Liverpool are closely monitoring the performances of Hellas Verna duo Jorginho and Juan Itrube as manager Brendan Rodgers looks to identify more young talent ahead of the January transfer window.

In the last few weeks the Merseyside club have been consistently linked with a possible move for Jorginho who was instrumental in helping Verona secure promotion to Serie A last season.

The 21-year-old has adapted to life in the top flight with relative ease and has already scored five league goals as Verona sit sixth in the table after securing 16 points from nine games.

Manager Andrea Mandorlini has hinted that the Brazilian-born midfielder could leave the club after his impressive showings, with Liverpool and Arsenal both said to be keen to gain his signature.

"I know, only too well, that it will be hard to keep the likes of Jorginho," the Verona boss told Radio Anch'io Lo.

"But behind them we are already allowing others to grow and mature. We are making use of those youngsters who are given little space but who will have an important future for this club."

Jorginho is not the only attacker producing some eye catching performances as TuttoMercatoWeb reports that Liverpool have also been impressed with Iturbe who is on-loan at Verona from Porto.

The 20-year-old, who has represented both Paraguay and Argentina at youth level, spent much of last season on-loan at River Plate but this year is making headlines in Europe with some excellent displays.

He scored a wonderful free-kick in a 2-1 win over Livorno earlier this season and it seems a number of European clubs are paying close attention to his performances as they seek to secure a permanent deal for the forward.

Verona hope to keep him at the club and his agent Claudio Pasqualin believes it is a possibility if they can buy the youngster in co-ownership with another Serie A side.

"Iturbe is a surprise and if he can have continuity will become a very important player, emulating the feats of Alexis Sanchez," said Pasqualin "It will not be a problem, for Verona, to find a partner for his transfer. I think Inter Milan. But he must prove himself."

Dual ownership remains a complicated issue and Liverpool may well look to take advantage of the fact by offering him a more straight forward contract.

Manager Brendan Rodgers has a track record of giving young players a chance and may hope that helps persuade Iturbe and Jorginho to make the move to Anfield.