Mohamed Salah’s bombshell interview was the talking point from Liverpool’s 3-3 draw with Leeds.
“It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus,” Salah stated following the six-goal thriller. The Egyptian now is expected to leave for pastures new next month. Attention, then, immediately turns to his replacement. Few, if any, can match Salah’s goalscoring exploits, particular last season. Liverpool can’t afford to sit around and hope for the best.
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Of course, they’ve already been linked with a move for Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo. The Ghana international has a £65m release clause that can be activated next month. The Reds aren’t the only side in for the 25-year-old. However, Liverpool were credited with a serious interest in Semenyo before Salah’s outburst. It may be the defending champions need two attackers next month rather than one.
One of those reportedly on Liverpool’s radar is Real Madrid forward Rodrygo. The Brazilian has found playing time hard to come by for Los Blancos this season. Xabi Alonso just isn’t a fan of the 24-year-old. Real Madrid were reluctant to sell over the summer. Their stance may have softened in recent weeks especially if Liverpool are sniffing around.
Liverpool to change up attacking approach?
Interest in Rodrygo, though, does suggest that Liverpool are considering a change in how they attack. Salah isn’t quite the direct winger, instead utilising his finishing to hurt opponents. While this quality to his game has dipped, it is still what the Egyptian is renowned for.
By comparison, Rodrygo is prepared to get on the ball and drive at opponents. Indeed, he’s averaging more completed take ons per 90 (2.7) than Salah (0.9) and boasts a better take on success rate (44% to 27.5%) in their respective leagues this season. That said, Salah ranks better for chances created per 90 (2.3 to 1.5).
The Real Madrid man is also more involved in the build up play for the Spanish side, ranking better for touches (75 to 51), touches in the opposition box (9.6 to 7.4) and attempted passes per 90 (47.4 to 30.1). Salah may be one of the most recognisable forwards in world football but unless he’s contributing to goals or assists regularly, then Liverpool are effectively playing with one fewer man.
Brazilian can bring much-needed directness to the champions
Saying that, it’s not been a great season for Rodrygo. The former Santos man may have made 14 league appearances for Real Madrid but just three of those have been from the outset. He’s yet to directly contribute to a La Liga goal. Real Madrid are keen to retain his services but in a World Cup year, he needs game time.
Should Liverpool wish to pursue rumoured interest in Rodrygo, then he can rest assured he’d at least attain regular minutes in the second half of the season. And he’ll hope for an increase in action in the coming weeks, starting with Wednesday’s welcome of Manchester City.
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City were heavily linked with a move for the versatile forward over the summer as they considered cashing in on Savinho. In the end, City failed to agree a fee with Real Madrid for Rodrygo, while his compatriot signed a new deal at the Etihad Stadium. Fast forward to the present day, and both may be on the move again in the New Year.
It’s Liverpool who’d benefit more from the addition of Rodrygo from the right. The Reds never properly replaced the directness of Luis Diaz from the left, the Colombian departing for Bayern Munich over the summer. The champions’ frontline is lacking a dribbling forward, evident in that their take-ons per 90 has dropped from 7.9 to 7.1.
Rodrygo may be perfect for Liverpool
Whether Liverpool are prepared to match Real Madrid’s asking price for Rodrygo remains to be seen. Even so, getting Salah off the books will free up wages for a new addition. It would be a sad way for both player and club to part ways but if Liverpool are to improve in the New Year, then they need to think about ways to tinker with their attack.
Rodrygo may not be high on wish lists as a potential Salah successor. Conversely, he’d bring a quality to the side that has been found wanting in the 2025-26 Premier League campaign.
With his time at the Bernabeu seemingly drawing to a close, Rodrygo could go on to adequately replace Salah at Anfield. Few expected the Egyptian to have such an impressive spell an Anfield following his arrival from Roma in 2017. Rodrygo may enjoy a similar impact should he make the move to England next month.