Liverpool scouts were apparently at Nottingham Forest on Friday to watch Jamaal Lascelles and Karl Darlow in the FA Cup fourth-round tie with Preston North End.

Reds manager Brendan Rodgers is believed to have sent members of his backroom staff to cast their eyes on the highly-rated duo, who have both been linked with the Premier League's elite clubs.

Lascelles was an unused substitute, but the 20-year-old has long been on the radar of some of England's top teams, including Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and Everton.

Spurs are also thought to be interested in Darlow but Sky Sports News understands that Liverpool are monitoring the goalkeeper in case they decide to rival the Lillywhites for his signature.

Darlow, 20, kept a clean sheet as the two teams played out a 0-0 draw at the City Ground.