Liverpool aims for Rodrygo to replace Salah, price 85 million euros
Salah's declining form (3 goals, 3 assists/12 matches) has forced Liverpool to look for a successor. Rodrygo (24 years old) is a big target, Real is said to be ready to sell for 85 million euros.
Liverpool are considering Rodrygo as a replacement for Mohamed Salah in the context of the Egyptian star slowing down at the beginning of the 2025/2026 season. According to E-Noticies, the Brazilian player is one of the biggest ambitions of the Anfield team, but this deal comes with the problem of position and a fee of 85 million euros.
Key developments: from the decision to bench Salah to the target Rodrygo
Salah recently extended his contract until 2027 and last season was highly effective with 34 goals and 23 assists, helping Liverpool defend the Premier League title. However, this season he has only 3 goals and 3 assists in 12 games in all competitions. In the 5-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League, coach Arne Slot even left Salah on the bench.
Against this backdrop, Liverpool have expanded their list of targets for their successor, with Rodrygo emerging as the top choice. The 24-year-old is said by E-Noticies to be losing his place in Xabi Alonso’s squad, with Real Madrid willing to listen to offers of around €85 million. Since joining in 2019, Rodrygo has won three La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues, and has also attracted interest from several Premier League clubs.
Tactical analysis: the key is the wing position
Prefers left wing, while Liverpool needs right wing
ESPN previously reported that Rodrygo prefers to play on the left wing rather than the right. The source said that the Brazilian player's representative met with President Florentino Pérez to express his dissatisfaction regarding his playing position. This season, coach Xabi Alonso also mainly deployed Rodrygo on the left wing.
On the other hand, Salah is still the striker on the right wing at Liverpool. Convincing Rodrygo to switch wings will be a big challenge if the Reds want him to become the direct successor to Salah's role.
Player stance and deployment risk
Speaking to Marca, Rodrygo said: “I want to stay at Real Madrid and I will not leave unless the club decides to sell me.” This stance makes any potential negotiations significantly dependent on Real Madrid’s attitude towards the 24-year-old’s future.
Important statistics and facts
| Index/Facts | Value |
|---|---|
| Salah's performance (last season) | 34 goals, 23 assists |
| Salah's achievements (this season) | 3 goals, 3 assists/12 matches |
| Salah's substitute match | Liverpool 5-1 Eintracht Frankfurt (Champions League) |
| Transfer target | Rodrygo (24 years old) |
| Fee is believed to be accepted by Real | 85 million euros (according to E-Noticies) |
| Rodrygo's titles with Real | 3 La Liga, 2 Champions League |
| Rodrygo's preferred position | Left wing (according to ESPN) |
| Salah's current role | Right wing at Liverpool |
| Salah contract | Valid until 2027 |
Information sources: E-Noticies, ESPN, Marca.
Reaction and context
Salah’s relegation to the bench in the 5-1 win suggests that manager Arne Slot is ready to make drastic changes to optimise the team’s performance. However, this is not a signal for an immediate change, as Salah’s contract is long and his position at Anfield is still very strong.
On Rodrygo's side, his stance of only leaving Real if the club decides to sell has left everything to be an internal assessment at the Bernabéu. Liverpool, in the event of a pursuit, would have to convince Real Madrid of a fee and convince the player of a role that could be different from his natural position on the left wing.
Impact and prospects
Liverpool face two big questions: positional fit and transfer value. If the target is a direct successor on the right, the biggest obstacle is Rodrygo’s preference for the left. If the target is to add quality to the attack, the €85m fee requires a clear plan to maximise value.
With Salah extending his contract until 2027 and still an icon in attack, Liverpool are likely to approach the matter in a step-by-step manner: maintain internal competition, assess performance over time and only pull the trigger once the positional issue – and agreement from Real Madrid and the player – is resolved.