Liverpool are reportedly keeping tabs on Hajduk Split midfielder Rokas Pukstas as he continues to impress in Croatia.
The Reds could be looking to add to their midfield options in 2026, with Pukstas seemingly catching the eye of scouts.
According to Croatian outlet Novi List, Liverpool were one of the clubs in attendance to watch the Adriatic Derby between Rijeka and Hajduk Split on Saturday.
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Pukstas is put forward as being the probable main focus of attention, with Rijeka’s hat-trick hero Toni Fruk also named as a likely target for scouts.
So, with Liverpool seemingly following his progress, who is Hajduk midfielder Pukstas?
USA U21 midfielder Rokas Pukstas in action against Serbia U21
Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/USSF/Getty Images
Rokas Pukstas emerging as new American talent
Despite the fact he plays in Croatia and has a decidedly Lithuanian name, Pukstas is actually an American.
The 21-year-old was born to Lithuanian parents in Oklahoma in 2004, and represents the country of his birth at U21 level.
Pukstas joined Hajduk as a 17-year-old free agent in 2021 following the expiry of his contract at Sporting Kansas City.
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In terms of position, the youngster is seen as a box-to-box midfielder who places emphasis on his attacking qualities.
Pukstas has scored 18 goals and registered four assists in 113 appearances for Hajduk. He has emerged as a key player for Gonzalo Garcia this season, starting 12 of 14 HNL matches.
Pukstas seeks out Ivan Rakitic for advice
As Pukstas aims to develop into a midfielder worthy of gracing Europe’s top five divisions, he has a terrific mentor to look up to at Hajduk Split.
Former Barcelona star Ivan Rakitic is the current technical director at Hajduk, and according to Pukstas, he has been picking the 37-year-old’s brain about how to improve his game as a midfielder.
“I just asked him the small details,” the USA U21 star told CBS Sports in October. “You know with Rakitic, his scanning, the way he sees the field. I asked him a step-by-step process of how he approaches it and he took me through everything.
“He took me through the details he learned throughout his career. For everything he has given me I am really grateful.”
Pukstas went on to describe himself as a versatile player who covers a lot of ground, wins his duels and will play wherever he needs to in order to help the team. Another one worth following for Liverpool’s potential midfield upgrade in 2026.