The rumour has resurfaced as it had been thought that the Reds had cooled their interest when Roy Hodgson departed from Anfield. Hodgson was keen on Barton after watching the youngster at Deepdale earlier in the season.
It appears that Liverpool are still tracking the youngster with Sammy Lee watching the game against QPR at the weekend. Preston value the player around the £5m mark but Liverpool are understood to be preparing an offer in the summer for around £2.5m.