Liverpool could face a youth transfer ban over attempts to tap up a Stoke City youngster.
The unnamed 12-year-old was offered terms with the Reds last summer despite being with the Potters’ academy at the time but the deal later collapsed.
It has been claimed that Anfield officials reneged on the agreement due to a dispute over funding the player’s school fees as part of his move to the club.
As a result, the child’s parents are said to be facing thousand of pounds worth of debt while the player is currently restricted from representing other clubs.
Stoke expect to receive a compensation fee in the region of £50,000 before the boy is allowed to play again for another team, leaving his career firmly in limbo.
But Liverpool may still face punishment for reneging on the deal with the Premier League considering imposing a youth transfer ban on the club as a result.
According to the Daily Telegraph, that would mean they could not sign any players in a sanction which mirrors those imposed on Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Several players have previously moved at academy level from other clubs to Liverpool including first-team player Ovie Ejaria from Arsenal in 2014.