Liverpool's pursuit of a worthy heir to Mo Salah's throne is reaching a fever pitch, but their €85m eye on Real Madrid's star winger could be a recipe for disaster—let's dive in and uncover why this transfer saga has football fans buzzing.
As Liverpool's manager Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes scout for the perfect long-term replacement for the iconic Mohamed Salah, a fresh report shines a spotlight on their latest ambition: Real Madrid's Brazilian sensation, Rodrygo. This development comes hot on the heels of Salah's contract extension in April 2025, which tied him to the Merseyside giants until the summer of 2027. Last season, the 'Egyptian King' dazzled with an impressive tally of 34 goals and 23 assists across 52 matches, playing a pivotal role in Slot's team clinching the Premier League crown.
Yet, at 33, Salah's form has dipped notably this term, netting just three goals and providing three assists in 12 appearances across all competitions for Liverpool. The situation escalated when Slot benched him for the Champions League clash against Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany last Wednesday—a match Liverpool dominated 5-1. It's a clear signal that the club is thinking ahead, having already eyed potential successors like Michael Olise from Bayern Munich and PSG's Bradley Barcola.
Enter E-Noticies, a Catalan outlet, which claims Liverpool has locked onto Rodrygo as their 'biggest ambition' for Salah's spot. The 24-year-old Madrid star is available for €85 million (around £74m or $99m), but his limited playing time this season—only two LaLiga starts and one in the Champions League under manager Xabi Alonso—raises eyebrows. Since joining Los Blancos in 2019, Rodrygo has tasted success, bagging three LaLiga titles and two Champions League victories.
But here's where it gets controversial: Is Rodrygo truly the ideal fit to step into Salah's shoes? For beginners in football tactics, imagine the pitch as a battlefield where wingers are like specialized soldiers—Salah thrives on the right flank, darting down the sideline with blistering pace and deadly finishing. Rodrygo, however, has a different preference. Over his career, he's racked up 147 appearances as a right-winger, but with 86 on the left and 84 as a striker, the numbers tell a story. Reports from ESPN back in May 2025 highlighted his desire to play on the left, and by August, his agents even confronted Madrid's president Florentino Pérez about it. This season, Alonso has deployed him mostly on the left, aligning with his comfort zone.
And this is the part most people miss: Convincing Rodrygo to switch flanks might prove impossible, especially given his recent statements to Marca affirming his loyalty to Real Madrid—he won't leave unless they push him out. Liverpool's interest in him during last summer's transfer window, as confirmed by TEAMtalk, suggests lingering appeal, but this positional mismatch is a glaring hurdle. For context, think of it like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole; while Rodrygo's speed and skill could adapt, forcing a change might frustrate him and disrupt team chemistry, potentially leading to underperformance.
Meanwhile, the transfer carousel keeps spinning. TEAMtalk sources reveal Liverpool's 2026 interest in Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, a dynamic talent who could bolster their midfield. There's also chatter about a potential raid on Newcastle United's Elliot Anderson, as Manchester United wavers on the young star. And don't forget Bayern Munich's aggressive push to outbid Liverpool for a major target—fingers crossed it's not another blow to the Reds' ambitions.
What do you think? Is Rodrygo worth the €85m gamble despite the position dilemma, or should Liverpool look elsewhere? Do you believe a winger can thrive on any flank with the right coaching, or is preference paramount? Share your thoughts in the comments—do you agree with Rodrygo's stance on staying at Madrid, or would you jump at Liverpool's offer? Let's spark a debate!
POLL: If you were in Rodrygo's shoes, which club would you choose for your next chapter?
