According to the Daily Mail, Liverpool rate Bouaddi highly within the club. They face competition from several major clubs, however, with Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid all linked with moves for the teenager, who is valued at £69m.
Bouaddi has shone for Morocco at this summer's tournament, his performances drawing attention from across Europe and accelerating interest that had been building throughout the season.
Arsenal are understood to have held talks about submitting a bid, making a Liverpool move considerably more challenging than the Reds' recent success in landing Victor Munoz ahead of Newcastle.
New Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has shown a willingness to move decisively in the transfer market, and his arrival at Anfield has coincided with a more assertive recruitment approach from the club.
Frequent reports had already placed Liverpool among the contenders for Bouaddi's signature before the World Cup began, but the fresh information from the Daily Mail regarding the "firm" nature of their interest elevates the Reds' standing in the race.
Whether Liverpool can outmanoeuvre clubs of Arsenal and Real Madrid's stature for the Lille midfielder remains to be seen, but Iraola's pull on the recruitment front is already apparent.
Bouaddi, born in France of Moroccan descent, switched his international allegiance to Morocco in May and was included in their World Cup squad, quickly establishing himself as one of the tournament's standout young talents. At 18, he is under contract with Lille until 2029 following an extension signed in December.