Liverpool interested in “world-class” £102m star

Liverpool are champions of the Premier League as soon as once more, and you may inform {that a} weight has been lifted from the shoulders of all concerned.

The celebrations raged on for days, Anfield having performed host to the title-clinching event final weekend as Tottenham Hotspur had been put to the sword.

It has been a protracted and gruelling season, however the squad have labored tooth and nail towards getting again on their perch, with Arne Slot the mastermind. Curiously, the Dutch coach has allowed a fuzz of facial hair to carpet his face, emphasising the loosening of the main target now that gold medals have been secured.

Whereas Slot is lastly ready to implement some rotation within the prime flight, having been stringent in his group choice throughout the marketing campaign, there isn’t any query that he and sporting director Richard Hughes are very a lot headset on making ready for the summer time forward.

That, for positive, is one space of consideration that may have solely intensified for the reason that jubilation of final weekend, and whereas a wave of signings are anticipated, Liverpool are additionally gearing as much as current Luis Diaz with a brand new contract.

Liverpool trying to prolong Luis Diaz’s contract

Diaz’s future has been a subject of debate all through the 2024/25 marketing campaign, and whereas he lulled for a sizeable patch via the center of the yr, the Colombian has been one among Liverpool’s most influential gamers.

Having plundered 16 targets and eight assists throughout 47 matches in all competitions, Diaz is behind solely Mohamed Salah in Anfield’s aim contribution charts.

Nevertheless, the 28-year-old is approaching the penultimate yr of his £55k-per-week deal and has been persistently linked with a transfer away in current months. Barcelona are among the many recognised admirers.

Until a mammoth bid comes FSG’s means, they’d be shrewd to march forward with plans to tie the left-sided ahead down. He is been sensible this yr, and he maybe would not get the respect he deserves for his numbers, which aren’t all that shoddy.

Is he good? No, however Diaz is criminally underrated inside sure pockets of Liverpool assist, having carried out dutifully and dynamically below Slot’s wing.

The truth that Raphinha and Bradley Barcola are the one recognised left wingers throughout Europe’s prime 5 leagues this season to have outperformed him from a prolific standpoint says all of it.

Nevertheless, this argument carries substance on either side, and if Liverpool had been to obtain an irresistible provide this summer time, there’s one man above all others who has been recognized as the right substitute.

Liverpool goal is open to leaving

In accordance with GIVEMESPORT, Liverpool are able to signal Actual Madrid’s Rodrygo this summer time, ought to Diaz find yourself leaving, with the wing wizard having ‘doubts’ over his future on the Bernabeu.

The Brazil worldwide, 24, has turn out to be disillusioned along with his position at Los Blancos, typically shunted onto the fitting flank to accommodate Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe.

The report suggests that he’s, for the primary time, ‘questioning’ his future on the membership, whereas remaining ‘open-minded’ over which membership he might probably be a part of subsequent.

Spanish sources recommend it might take a bid value €120m (£102m) to persuade Florentino Perez to half along with his membership’s ahead, but when Rodrygo really needs to go away for a brand new chapter, this towering determine may very well be lowered.

Why Rodrygo could be good for Liverpool

Hailed as a “world-class” a part of Actual Madrid by Jurgen Klopp, Rodrygo has lived within the Spanish capital since leaving Santos in his Brazilian homeland again in June 2018. He was solely 17, with the determine totalling €45m (£38m).

The issue, in fact, is that Madrid have packed their squad stuffed with attacking superstars over the previous few years, with the likes of Endrick, Arda Guler and Brahim Diaz additionally assuming area within the first-team squad.

Rodrygo, although, little doubt feels he’s on par with Mbappe and the like, absolutely doubling his frustrations over being routinely performed with no consideration wing.

The best-footed ahead has demonstrated a raised degree of prolificness when not often handed the possibility to function on his most well-liked flank. This season, he is solely posted 13 targets and ten assists throughout 50 matches in all competitions, however 12 of these involvements have come from simply 12 fixtures as a left winger.

It would not make a lot sense to signal Rodrygo if Diaz was stored on Liverpool’s books, for then he could be jockeying with the Colombia worldwide and Cody Gakpo for a beginning berth, or certainly positioned out on the other flank, although Salah’s contractual renewal makes it reasonably laborious to think about this might persuade him to make the transfer.

Despite the fact that Rodrygo hasn’t loved the best of seasons, his underlying qualities have nonetheless shone via. As per FBref, ranks among the many prime 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers throughout Europe’s prime 5 leagues over the previous yr for go completion and the highest 14% for progressive carries per 90.

That is fascinating, with Diaz additionally famend for his technical potential and crispness when on the ball. He is additionally an electrical participant, with quick tempo and a skilful type of aptitude in possession.

Rodrygo has reached an essential juncture in his profession: flip a method, and he could proceed to take a seat within the shadow of a few of his Los Blancos friends; dart down the opposite lane, and the Brazilian might lastly forge the profession that his ‘world-class’ high quality calls for.

He is already achieved all of it for Actual Madrid, and if he had been to make the transfer to Merseyside, Rodrygo couldn’t solely show to be an improve on Diaz but additionally turn out to be Liverpool’s undisputed talisman as soon as Salah bows out too.