Liverpool's deal with Belgian club Genk

LIVERPOOL have struck a co-operation deal with Belgian club, KRC Genk.

Following a series of meetings an agreement has been signed until 2014 that could have benefits for both clubs.

Genk representatives flew into the city for Thursday's night's reserve game at Prenton Park where technical director Herman Vermeulen and club scout Roland Janssen ran the rule over the Reds' 3-3 draw with Manchester City.

The co-operation deal will work on three levels with Liverpool and Genk sharing information from their scouting databases.

While Genk are interested in taking some of Liverpool's fringe players on loan, the main attraction for the Anfield club is the opportunity to bring in African and South American players to England via Belgium.

As Belgium is not subject to the same restrictions found in UK employment law, Genk will be able to act on Liverpool's behalf to sign non-EU players who could later join the Reds once they qualify for European citizenship or meet the 75% quota of international games to receive a work permit.

Liverpool have faced problems retaining non-EU players in recent years, most notably Argentine winger Sebastian Leto who was loaned to Greek club Olympiakos and eventually sold to Panathinaikos after his Italian passport was revoked.

EU regulations also delayed Chilean Mark Gonzalez's arrival from Albacete four years ago.

Genk director general Dirk Degraen was at Melwood last week, where he met with Reds manager Rafa Benitez and chief scout, Eduardo Macia.

Degraen said: "Liverpool wants to sign young talented players from Africa and South America. But because of the British law it isn't possible.

"We can get the players to Belgium and let them develop. It would be a win-win situation for both clubs.

"Also, Liverpool has a very big squad and many players don't get many minutes.

"Genk can offer a solution for that, if we are offered the players that can make our squad better."

Genk are currently tenth in Belgium's top-flight but are typically challenging among the European places each season behind Anderlecht, Standard Liege and Club Brugge.

The Jupiler League club, coached by ex-Belgian international Franky Vercauteren, are thought to be interested in taking one of Liverpool's strikers on loan.

However, as Benitez is looking to strengthen in this area with Fernando Torres currently sidelined and following the departure of Andriy Voronin this month, he is unlikely to release any more forwards unless any signings are made before the transfer window closes next weekend.

The co-operation deal with Genk is not dissimilar to the agreement between Manchester United and Belgian second division club Royal Antwerp. United's long-standing partnership has seen a host of youngsters gain first team experience in Belgium, including John O'Shea, Jonny Evans, Frazier Campbell and Ronnie Wallwork - the latter being sent home in shame following an altercation with a referee.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.