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Liverpool have been impressed by the performances of Neiser Villarreal at the ongoing South American Under 20 Championships, Rousing The Kop can reveal.

Liverpool scouts have been present at the tournament in Venezuela to keep watch over emerging talents from the continent.

And having been keeping a keen eye on proceedings, RTK can exclusively reveal that Colombian forward Villarreal has caught Liverpool’s eye.

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Villarreal has hit seven goals in eight matches for Colombia, leading the scoring charts ahead of Man City wonderkid Claudio Echeverri.

Liverpool are understood to have been impressed by Villarreal and continue to keep tabs on his progress.

Photo by EDISON GAMEZ/AFP via Getty Images

Villarreal has been one of the breakout stars from this winter’s U20 tournament in Venezuela.

The 19-year-old has made only 11 appearances for Colombian side Millonarios since making his debut in September 2023.

And RTK understands that Liverpool did not initially have Villarreal at the front of their thinking when sending scouts to Venezuela.

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Instead, the Reds are understood to have been more interested in watching the emerging talents from Argentina and Ecuador in particular.

As RTK exclusively revealed earlier this month, Liverpool are watching Argentine pair Ian Subiabre and Agustin Ruberto.

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But as well as Subiabre and Ruberto, Villarreal is now understood to have caught Liverpool’s attention.

The Reds are not the only ones interested in the young forward, however, with his goalscoring exploits attracting plenty of other suitors.

Liverpool have not traditionally signed young players direct from South America, but RTK understands they are now keen to further explore this avenue.

And Villarreal has been catapulted into the spotlight after his free-scoring tournament in Venezuela.

The teenager is a right-footed winger who can draw obvious comparisons to Liverpool star Luis Diaz.

The highlight of Villarreal’s tournament so far was a terrific hat-trick scored against Paraguay at the beginning of Feburary.

His three, wonderfully taken, goals highlighted his clean ball striking ability and clear eye for goal.