Journalist Claims Klopp “Loves” £39M Brazilian Ace Who Could Be Signed To “Replace Salah”

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is a big fan of Real Madrid winger Rodrygo, according to OK Diario journalist Eduardo Inda.

The Spanish journalist claims that Klopp would be keen on signing the Brazilian international if he needs to “replace” Mo Salah next summer:

“Klopp, in addition to being a great coach, likes good players. He likes a Real Madrid player that the leadership loves, but who could leave if Mbappe arrives in the summer. He is a player who would be thinking of him to replace Salah.”

“The player he loves is Rodrygo. He would put him in the band because he is to replace the Egyptian. If Mbappe comes [to Madrid] there would be many overloaded positions at Real Madrid.”

Would Rodrygo be a good signing for Liverpool?

There was plenty of hype surrounding the player after he sealed a €45m (£39m) move to Real from Santos in the summer of 2019 but, despite some standout moments, he has often flattered to deceive during his time in Spain.

Rodrygo has a decent record in front of goal, with 39 goals and 33 assists in 178 appearances for his current team, but making a goal contribution every 3.5 matches does not make him an elite player.

At 22 years of age, the Brazilian could, of course, improve in the future but there are question marks over whether he could replace the goals that Salah provides.

The winger would not be a like-for-like replacement

Although Rodrygo does prefer to play off the right flank, he is right-footed so the Reds would have to adjust their tactical setup to accommodate him.

Unlike someone like Fiorentina’s Nico Gonzalez, who has also been linked with a transfer to Anfield in recent days, Rodrgyo would be less inclined to cut in and shoot from the right wing. If Liverpool are to replace Salah, you would hope that they could find someone with similar characteristics to the Egyptian.

Watch the VTF Football Show on Shots!TV as our pundits discuss whether Liverpool are the real deal

David Tully

David Tully

David has worked as a football reporter for the last fifteen years. Having started as an intern at Snack Media, he then went on to become a freelancer, working on various different sites. At the start of 2023, he took up his current role as content writer for National World's Football News Network.