Rachid Khlifi, the low-key French scout influencing Liverpool recruitment | OneFootball

Rachid Khlifi has become an influential figure in Liverpool’s recruitment after a path from teaching and youth coaching. He has worked for the club since 2018, helping to initiate or advance moves involving Ibrahima Konaté and Hugo Ekitike, according to L'Équipe.

The 46-year-old is a familiar, quiet presence across Île-de-France and Ligue 1 grounds. Peers depict a straightforward operator who avoids the limelight and the trappings often seen around scouting.

His discretion was forged over three decades. A former goalkeeper from Hauts-de-Seine, he played for ACBB, Saint-Cloud and Meudon, then turned to youth coaching in the 92 where he grew up. Alongside sports science studies, he built a network and a method.

At La Garenne-Colombes he developed several generations, including Mario Lemina. Teaching came first, as a primary then PE teacher, until 2009 when Sochaux scout Christian Puxel brought him into his team. Work on Marcus Thuram and Konaté enhanced his reputation, which led to a full-time stint at Paris FC from 2015 to 2017.

Liverpool sought a France scout in 2018 and chose Khlifi, who joined chief scout Barry Hunter’s group. During the 2021 push for Konaté, the club leaned on his long-standing ties with the player’s family. In the race for Ekitike, his reports from Reims and PSG days, and his relationships, proved valuable.

An English intermediary who works with Liverpool views him as industrious, well connected and trusted to present impartial assessments. His influence also extends beyond Ligue 1 players.

In recent months he has promoted to Liverpool the candidacy of Bafodé Diakhaby, formerly PSG’s head of pre-formation. He also identified Senegal defender Mor Talla Ndiaye at the U17 World Cup as a medium-term option for the Reds’ rotation.

On Wednesday Khlifi will take his seat in the Parc des Princes stands. He will not be heard, but he will likely see everything.

Source: L'Équipe