Real Madrid’s ‘world class’ star, who costs £39million, knows full well that Liverpool want to sign him

He is so often the man Los Blancos can rely on when they need a late goal in high-pressure games, with Rodrygo scoring twice in the closing stages as Real Madrid stunned Manchester City in the 2022 Champions League semi-finals.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola called Rodrygo ‘a great player’ at the time.

And having started five of the club’s seven La Liga games so far in 2024-25, the skilful 23-year-old can clearly still play a key role.

TBR understands that interest in Liverpool from old admirers remains.

Rodrygo’s team know he is still on the Premier League giants’ radar, having first spotted him seven years ago.

TBR can also confirm that Liverpool also made enquiries about Rodrygo and midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni this summer, but have been told in no uncertain terms that neither player will be allowed to leave Real Madrid.

Liverpool still targeting Real Madrid star Rodrygo Goes

While Rodrygo’s people are flattered by Liverpool’s interest, the former Santos star has made it clear he will not consider leaving the Spanish capital unless he is told he is no longer a key part of their plans.

Given Rodrygo’s ability to play on the right, he is perhaps more important than ever.

While Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. drift to the left, the balance Rodrygo creates on the other end of the line is vital to Ancelotti’s hopes of becoming such a star player in the front line.

Rodrygo, who Real Madrid veteran Luka Modric described as “world class” when speaking to reporters this week, is perhaps the most underrated footballer in the world. So often overshadowed by his more vaunted team-mates, his penchant for scoring big goals at key moments is almost unmatched.

The £39million signing scored 17 points last season, alongside nine assists.

TBR understands that Arsenal, Chelsea and the aforementioned Man City have also made inquiries in the past 12 months.

Liverpool, however, have been following Rodrygo’s progress since his Santos days, when he was just 16 and far from a household name.

Jurgen Klopp wanted Rodrygo when he was a teenager at Santos

“There was a period when there was very serious interest from Liverpool. The values ​​were very low (at the time), but they wanted to leave,” former Santos coach and former Man City midfielder Elano once told ESPN Brasil.

“He already had decision-making power, even at a young age. I believe so much in his personality.”

Rodrygo’s agent, meanwhile, claimed that Jurgen Klopp first got wind of the then-young talent when he was searching on YouTube for the best emerging Brazilian talent.

Liverpool currently view Rodrygo as a potential long-term replacement for Mo Salah.

“When Rodrygo went to sign his first professional contract with Santos at the age of 16, a Liverpool director called me and said Klopp already knew the player, had seen the equipment and had already seen Rodrygo in person,” Nick Accuri said in 2020.

“He had gone on YouTube to search for ‘talents from Brazil’ and Rodrygo had appeared. Klopp liked him.

“(Liverpool) contacted me. I went to England and sat in London – Liverpool has an office in London. I put the proposal to Modesto, then president of Santos. Modesto didn’t accept it.

“It turned out that Santos didn’t want to sell Rodrygo and instead gave him (his) first professional contract. But it was Rodrygo’s first official proposal.

“He was 16 and it was Liverpool.”

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