Liverpool are preparing for what could be a busy first transfer window under Arne Slot.
The Reds have work to do in order to get themselves from being challengers to bona fide title material.
In order to do that, some additions will be needed to the Liverpool squad. The group is in good shape overall, but there are a couple of areas that could be improved upon.
One of these is in the forward ranks. The Reds were far too wasteful this season and as a result are said to be looking for a new attacker.
Quite who’s being lined up to fill that role remains a little unclear for now. But thanks to journalist Fabrizio Romano, we now know who definitely will not be rocking up at the AXA Training Centre this summer.
Fabrizio Romano rules out Rodrygo Goes move
There is debate surrounding what kind of forward Liverpool should target to improve their ruthlessness next season.
It also could depend on if anyone leaves the club. Luis Diaz has been linked with an exit, while Mohamed Salah may yet jump ship to Saudi Arabia.
Whatever type of player is needed though, it’s obvious that if someone like Real Madrid’s Rodrygo Goes were on the market, Liverpool would be interested.
The Reds have indeed been linked with a sensational move for Rodrygo, several years on from trying to sign him as a teenager.
New comments from the Brazilian on Tuesday appeared to suggest he could leave Madrid this summer. But speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said it’s out of the question.
“Let me clarify something on Real Madrid’s side before the Champions League final on Rodrygo Goes, because today there was an interview around from Rodrygo,” says the reporter.
“Someone was looking into his words like he said something like we never know what happens in the future or something like that. No guys. I was checking about that and I can guarantee that Rodrygo himself, his camp, all the people close to the player are only pointing to one direction. Rodrygo has no intention at all to leave Real Madrid. Rodrygo wants to stay, Rodrygo plans to stay, Rodrygo is only thinking about Real Madrid. He loves Real Madrid project.
“Also, people close to the player believe that Real Madrid project is absolutely the best in the world, also including signs for next season, so there is absolutely no panic on Rodrygo’s side, no intention to leave, no intention to create any problem to the club. Rodrygo is only focused on Real Madrid.”
No chance for Liverpool and Rodrygo
This always felt like an incredibly long shot. Although Rodrygo would arguably be the perfect signing for Liverpool, he isn’t leaving.
In certain respects, it might be worth the Reds testing Madrid’s resolve for the 23-year-old.
With Kylian Mbappe coming in this summer, Rodrygo looks set to be one of those affected. He may not play quite as much next year.
Despite the fact that manager Carlo Ancelotti thinks he’s ‘spectacular’ [AS], someone will have to make way for Mbappe.
Having said that, the former Santos youngster has a contract until 2028 at the Bernabeu. It would cost an incredible fee to get him out of there, and that’s even before you talk about a contract.
So, although we’d be all for Liverpool having a cheeky go at this, we think it’s a bit of a non-starter.