Liverpool is interested in signing Sunderland teenager Trey Ogunsuyi and could make a move for the striker in January, according to reports.

The Reds are not adverse to signing underage players from rival clubs and brought in Trey Nyoni and Amara Nallo from Leicester City and West Ham United in recent years, both of whom are expected to be part of the first-team squad for the midweek trip to Southampton.

Ogunsuyi could be the next underage player Liverpool targets with the Northern Echo claiming Sunderland will face a ‘major battle’ to keep the talented youngster. The Reds’ saw Ogunsuyi’s skills up close and personal earlier this season when he netted two goals in Sunderland U18’s 4-2 defeat at Kirkby. The forward also scored in the Under-21’s 3-2 defeat against Liverpool in September.

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Ogunsuyi has mainly played for the Under-21s this campaign scoring five in as many Premier League 2 appearances. Ogunsuyi, who has been capped at underage level by Belgium, is yet to play a senior game for the Black Cats, something that is likely to change soon, as per the Northern Echo.

The outlet adds Liverpool have ‘vigorously pursued’ Ogunsuyi with ‘growing talk of a January move’, but states that Sunderland would resist such a move.

The 17-year-old was on target for Sunderland once again on Tuesday night as it was beaten 4-1 in the FA Youth Cup by Derby County. His chipped finish midway through the first half was his 15th goal of the season across various age groups and competitions.

Liverpool does already have several talented attacking protegees in Jayden Danns, Keyrol Figueroa and Oakley Cannonier. But it’s Ranel Young who has tended to play up front for the Under-21s this season, scoring four goals in 10 appearances.

Due to the nature of the Premier League 2 calendar, Sunderland won’t face Liverpool again this season but the Under-18s will come up against Ogunsuyi once again in April.