Liverpool could beat Man Utd to Portuguese star 'recommended' by Cristiano Ronaldo

Liverpool could reportedly beat Manchester United to the signing of a Portugal international that was recommended by Cristiano Ronaldo.

Neither club is expected to complete major business in January, with United particularly facing FFP constraints over the course of the window.

The Reds have, though, been linked with a move for a centre-back, following Joel Matip's season-ending anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury suffered against Fulham last month.

And with Virgil van Dijk out of Sunday's FA Cup third round win over Arsenal due to illness, manager Jurgen Klopp could not pick a centre-back on the bench - with Joe Gomez operating at left-back in the absence of Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas.

According to the Daily Mail, Liverpool have sent scouts to monitor Benfica wonderkid Antonio Silva, who is one of the top defenders in Portugal at the age of just 20.

The right-footed centre-back is a key part of Benfica's side, and is the highest-ranked defender (as per WhoScored) for passing accuracy in Liga Portugal this season.

He also ranks highly for tackles and blocks per 90 minutes, and has been tipped as a future elite player of world football.

The Daily Mirror reported in 2022, upon Erik ten Hag taking charge at United, that both Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes spoke positively about Silva around Old Trafford, having played alongside the young defender for the Portuguese national team.

Another option for Liverpool is Sporting Lisbon centre-back Ousmane Diomande, who is set to represent Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations this month.

The 20-year-old, who has also reportedly been watched by both Arsenal and Newcastle, has been a regular in the Sporting team this season alongside Goncalo Inacio - who the Reds are also taking a keen interest in, it is claimed - and the former Liverpool centre-back Sebastian Coates.