Rodrygo has expressed his sentiments regarding Liverpool, following reports that the Premier League team is planning an unexpected offer for the Real Madrid player.
At 24 years old, Rodrygo has been instrumental in Madrid’s recent achievements under the previous head coach, Carlo Ancelotti, securing three La Liga championships and two Champions League titles since his transfer from Santos in 2019 for £39 million.
Nevertheless, he has encountered greater challenges under the new manager, Xabi Alonso, who took over from Ancelotti prior to the current Club World Cup.
Rodrygo commenced the inaugural match of the tournament against Al Hilal, contributing an assist in a 1-1 stalemate with the Saudi Pro League team.
However, he was allotted only 27 minutes of play for the rest of the competition and did not participate at all against Juventus, Pachuca, or in Real Madrid’s 4-0 loss to PSG in the semifinals.
Alonso has preferred Gonzalo Garcia in the forward position, with players such as Brahim Diaz and Arda Guler being granted more playing time than the Brazilian.
It follow separate reports in Spain that claim Alonso has been given full backing to drop any player from his squad, no matter how high-profile or expensive they are.
Arsenal and Chelsea have both been linked with a move for Rodrygo, although Brazil’s UOL Esporte claim Real Madrid are seeking €100m (£86m) to let him leave the Bernabeu.
Spanish publication AS claim Liverpool have also joined the race to sign the Brazil international, with the Premier League champions said to be keeping tabs on his situation at Madrid.
It comes amid reports Liverpool winger Luis Diaz could leave Anfield, with Barcelona and Bayern Munich said to be interested in the Colombian
Rodrygo has encountered Liverpool multiple times in European competitions, achieving victory in four out of five matches against the Reds – this includes the 2022 Champions League final, where Madrid triumphed 1-0 thanks to a goal from his fellow countryman Vinicius Jr.
In 2017, he nearly signed with Liverpool for a mere £2.5m before ultimately joining Real Madrid. “We didn’t finalize the agreement because I chose not to. I preferred to remain at Santos, despite the attractive offer… ultimately, I was able to realize my aspiration of playing for Santos,” Rodrygo stated in 2024.
In anticipation of a Champions League match at Anfield in 2023, he remarked: “The upcoming game will be quite challenging, and we are already aware of this.
“Competing against Liverpool is consistently tough, regardless of the presence of fans, but it becomes even more so at Anfield.
“However, despite his earlier commendations for Liverpool, it seems that Arsenal is currently leading the race to acquire the winger.
According to AS, the Brazilian has expressed that, should he be transferred, he wishes to select his destination, with Arsenal being his preferred option.