The Championship's Yamine Lamal is catching Liverpool's eye and could follow Jordan Henderson

Liverpool have a knack of unearthing up and coming talents from across Europe but their success in signing domestic talents should also be admired.

Jordan Henderson is arguably their best domestic based signing in recent years and the Reds could repeat that feat with a move for one of England's most sought after wonderkids. Liverpool signed Henderson from Sunderland in 2011 and their interest in Black Cats teenage sensation Chris Rigg could see them repeat one of their most successful signings.

But who is the upcoming English wonderkid and why is he attracting the attention of the Reds? To begin with, only Barcelona's Lamine Yamal has more goal-creating actions per 90 this season for players 20 or younger, than the Black Cats' youngster - a sensational statistic.

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But to truly understand the fanfare surrounding the 17-year-old England youth international, you have to go back to June 2022.

The Black Cats academy talent helped Sunderland's Under-15 side win the Super Floodlit Cup with a 4-2 win over Crystal Palace in the final. The youngster - who was just 14-years-old at the time - scored a brilliant free-kick to help the Wearsiders win the prestigious competition.

A number of Premier League scouts were in attendance, with Liverpool's Premier League rivals Manchester United holding a serious interest in the combative midfielder, as do Sunderland's local rivals Newcastle United. Liverpool and Everton were also linked with the midfielder when he was just 15-years-old.

The Magpies have repeatedly tried to lure Rigg to St. James' Park, sending Peter Beardsley to watch the midfielder as a youngster, but were unable to convince the highly rated youngster to cross the divide. Rigg's family are huge Newcastle United supporters, but that has never impacted his football at the Stadium of Light.

Fresh from winning the Floodlit Cup, then Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray called the youngster up to first-team training before handing him a remarkable debut in the FA Cup at just 15-years-old. The England international came off the bench and helped inspire the Black Cats to a remarkable late win.

"He was put on the pitch because he deserves to be on the pitch," Mowbray said after handing the youngster his debut. "Of course we've got a lot of injuries, which gives him the opportunity.

"If we'd had six or seven first-team players still available he probably wouldn't have been here today. But, the chance comes and everybody needs opportunity. It's fantastic for the kid that he's done so well and hopefully pushed himself on to the fringes of helping us in league matches moving forward."

Rigg became the club's youngest ever outfield player, before adding the gong of the youngest ever scorer later that calendar year. The versatile midfielder score the fifth goal in Sunderland's 5-1 win over Southampton last season before an injury on international duty interrupted his campaign.

Rigg found game time hard to come by under Mowbray's successor Michael Beale, but his short stint at the Stadium of Light worked in the youngster's favour. Sunderland's 2023/24 campaign petered into insignificance, but Mike Dodds handed Rigg his full debut in the Championship and he'd finish the campaign with three goals in 22 appearances in all competitions - all before his 17th birthday and signing his first professional contract.

Rigg celebrated that milestone in June earlier this year with Sunderland fending off interest from Bayern Munich and Manchester United by offering their most lucrative first contract they've ever handed out to an academy graduate. One of the main factors in the youngster staying was the promise of guaranteed game time and he's thrived under Regis Le Bris this season.

A winning goal in the Wear-Tees derby the latest accolade in his short career, his first of the season in seven appearances in all competitions. The youngster is making waves in the Championship for his eye for a pass, grit in the tackle, effectiveness in the press and his anility to retain possession for someone of his age.

Real Madrid, Liverpool and Manchester United have all been credited with an interest in the youngster and it's one to keep an eye on this season.