Paul Scholes asks 'does he have a release clause' after hearing discussion about player during Man Utd game

Paul Scholes tried and failed in his attempts to find out whether West Ham forward Jarrod Bowen has a release clause, just days after Jurgen Klopp praised the England international.

Earlier this week, Klopp labelled Bowen his "favourite player" ahead of Wednesday night's EFL Cup quarter-final clash between Liverpool and West Ham.

Bowen, who has been one of the club's standout performers this season, scoring 13 goals in all competitions, went on to find the net at Anfield as they suffered a 5-1 defeat.

"David (Moyes) is doing an incredible job, I have to say," Klopp said before kick-off. "They are good again, through in Europe, it's really impressive. Injuries issues as well. Playing without (Michail) Antonio, and Bowen steps up in that position.

"[He is] probably my favourite player besides all my players, I have to say. It's great what he is doing and how he has developed."

Klopp's pre-match comments about Bowen sparked plenty of reaction amongst fans. In fact, West Ham forward Michail Antonio even got involved in the conversation.

Speaking on the Footballer’s Football Podcast this week, he said: "Jurgen Klopp said before the game that Jarrod Bowen is his favourite player in the league other than his own players. I think he’s trying to lay those seeds man, he wants Jarrod."

Antonio added: "He can lay the seeds all he likes mate. The man has just signed a seven year deal bro, if he wants that, he can bring the money.

"Who’s he going to replace, obviously he plays on the right? Are you hinting at something here? Are you letting Salah go yeah?"

The conversation around Bowen's future continued on Saturday afternoon during coverage of West Ham's clash against Manchester United.

Mark Noble, who is West Ham's sporting director, said Klopp's comments 'didn't worry him' after the 27-year-old former Hull City forward penned a new long-term deal in November.

"I think Liverpool and Jurgen (Klopp) have always been big fans of Jarrod (Bowen)," Noble added. "With the way that Jurgen sets his teams up and the way he plays."

Despite playing down a potential move away from the London Stadium, Noble was prodded further by former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes.

Scholes, who was stood next to Noble on Saturday, asked him whether Bowen has a buyout clause ahead of the January transfer window.

Noble played down the subject before explaining the importance of Bowen to the Hammers.

"I am not telling you," Noble said on TNT Sports. "He’s great and we are over the moon that he’s signed a long-term deal with us because he is the catalyst for us to bring in good players and also the way that we want to play."