Liverpool Transfer News: Cameron Brannagan Scouted by Barcelona, Latest Rumours

Liverpool reportedly need to beware of interest from Barcelona in precocious midfielder Cameron Brannagan, with the reigning UEFA Champions League holders dispatching scouts to assess the gifted teenager.

Citing a report from Spanish publication Sport, Sam Morshead of MailOnline detailed on Thursday Barca's scouting expedition: "Sport say Barca were alerted to Brannagan's talents because of his display in a recent UEFA Youth League meeting between the two teams and that scouts from the Catalan giants watched him play in an Under 21 clash with Leicester."  

Morshead also carried quotes from Anfield chief Jurgen Klopp espousing Brannagan's enticing natural talent and potential: "For his age he brings everything you need for a midfield player he wants to play football, he's strong, he's clear, he's cool."

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But Brannagan hasn't just caught the eye at youth level. The 19-year-old was worthy of praise against Premier League opposition when he featured in Liverpool's FA Cup fourth-round tie against West Ham United.

Press Association reporter Carl Markham described how the teenage pass-master managed to stand out:

The Reds won't want to lose one of their most promising academy talents. But while the lure of joining Barca would be great for any player, Brannagan is likely to have a better chance of playing senior football sooner if he stays on Merseyside.

Mario Balotelli Still Not Convincing AC Milan

One player Liverpool would likely welcome seeing the back of is misfit striker Mario Balotelli. Yet the Italian attacker is doing little to tempt loan club AC Milan into making his stay a permanent one.

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In fact, Rossoneri CEO Adrian Galliani has called on Balotelli to do more and prove himself, according to Goal.com's Stefan Coerts: "Mario is feeling well. He is desperate to stay here at Milan. But like I have said before, he does not merit a permanent deal at the moment. We really like Mario, but he has to convince us to earn a permanent deal."

Balotelli certainly hasn't made the grade since returning to Milan. He's scored just one league goal this season, per WhoScored.com.

There doesn't seem to be much of a future for Balotelli at Anfield. Not on Klopp's watch at least.

The German is still trying to find solutions at striker and has generally favoured using Firmino or 20-year-old Belgian powerhouse Divock Origi over the brittle pair of Daniel Sturridge and Christian Benteke.

Still, Balotelli has rarely shown the willingness and application to revive his career at Anfield. But if the Italian can't improve at Milan, Liverpool may have a hard time finding takers for the mercurial malcontent.

But it seems as though Brannagan's reputation is already working for him in a positive way. Battling to keep such a talented youngster is a fight worth waging for Klopp and the club.