Liverpool has its eyes on another young star at this year's World Cup, with the Reds reportedly scouting an Australian international defender as its pursuit of Yan Diomande continues
20:55, 19 Jun 2026
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JUNE 19: Lucas Herrington #25 of Australia arrives at the stadium before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Australia at Seattle Stadium on June 19, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Liverpool is reportedly scouting Australia defender Lucas Herrington(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool looks to have its eye on another wonderkid at this year’s World Cup, with the Reds claimed to have scouted an 18-year-old making a name for himself in the United States.
Yan Diomande is of course dominating the headlines this summer, with Liverpool hot in pursuit of RB Leipzig’s 19-year-old superstar. Having signed Victor Munoz earlier this week, the Reds are now stepping up their attempts to land the Ivory Coast winger.
Liverpool has made it clear to Leipzig that it would be willing to do a deal at around $115 million (€100M) after his impressive World Cup debut against Ecuador, and it appears Diomande is not the only teenager the club is interested in at the tournament.
According to The Athletic, Liverpool sent scouts to watch Australia international Lucas Herrington this season. The young center-back joined MLS side Colorado Rapids from Brisbane Roar in January, and is currently with his nation at the World Cup.
Barcelona is also interested in the 18-year-old, and has already had a bid rejected by the Rapids. The offer is said to have not met the club’s valuation of the player, and it’s not clear whether the La Liga champion will return with an improved bid, with negotiations not active at the moment.
Lucas Herrington #25 of Australia during a training session one day ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between Australia and Turkey at Killarney Park
Lucas Herrington is in Australia's squad at the World Cup(Image: Elizabeth Ruiz Ruiz/Getty Images)
Herrington is yet to start a game at the World Cup, having been named on the bench against both Turkey and the USA, but he has already grown a reputation as one of the world’s most promising young defenders.
The Rapids are said to have agreed a deal with him long before his 18th birthday in anticipation of interest from Europe, and there was even an opportunity for the club to have transferred him for a profit before he’d even played a game for them.
“He is an exceptionally talented young man with the world at his feet,” Rapids president Padraig Smith told Yahoo! Sports. “When our scouts identified him, and we began the recruitment process, we knew he had a high ceiling.”
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Meanwhile, Herrington’s teammate and former Arsenal defender Rob Holding said of him: “He’s super composed. Super relaxed, on the ball, under pressure. He’s a really good player. He just keeps getting better and better each week.”
It’s suggested that the Rapids would look for an MLS-record fee for a center-back if they did choose to sell Herrington. That record is currently held by Moise Bombito, who was also sold by the Colorado club to Nice for an initial fee of $7.7M - a deal which also included add-ons and a sell-on clause.
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Liverpool has already strengthened its defensive options with three young signings this year. Mor Talla Ndiaye joined the club’s academy in January, with Ifeanyi Ndukwe set to join him this summer, while 20-year-old Jeremy Jacquet will complete his move to the Reds’ senior ranks from Rennes next month.