Liverpool are not the only top flight side falling under the glare of the authorities

Liverpool could be punished with a transfer embargo preventing them from signing academy players if they are found guilty of making an illegal inducement to recruit a Stoke City schoolboy.

A Premier League investigation is nearing its conclusion into the allegation that the Merseyside club tapped up the youngster last summer.

If Liverpool are found to have breached stringent new Premier League guidelines then there are a range of punishments that could be implemented, including fines.

However, there is also an option to enforce a registration ban on the club signing youth players for a specified period of time. It could take the form of a suspended ban but would not affect the acquisition of players for Jürgen Klopp’s senior squad.

Liverpool have been liaising