Liverpool’s quest to find a long-term successor for their star forward Mohamed Salah has taken an intriguing turn, with a new report from Catalan outlet E-Noticies claiming that the Premier League champions have set their sights on Real Madrid’s Brazilian winger, Rodrygo. The 24-year-old, reportedly valued at €85 million (£74m, $99m), is seen as one of Liverpool’s “biggest ambitions” to replace the ageing “Egyptian King.” However, a significant issue could derail this potential transfer, casting doubt on whether Rodrygo is the right fit to step into Salah’s shoes.
Salah’s Legacy and Liverpool’s Search for a Successor
Mohamed Salah, now 33, remains a cornerstone of Liverpool’s success under manager Arne Slot. Last season, the forward delivered a staggering 34 goals and 23 assists in 52 appearances, helping the Reds secure the Premier League title. In April 2025, Salah signed a new contract, extending his stay at Anfield until the summer of 2027. However, his form this season has been uncharacteristically subdued, with just three goals and three assists in 12 matches across all competitions. This dip in performance, coupled with his age, has prompted Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes to begin planning for life after Salah.
The decision to drop Salah from the starting lineup for Liverpool’s 5-1 Champions League victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in October 2025 further underscored the club’s willingness to prepare for a future without their talisman. Among the names linked with replacing Salah, Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise has been a prime target, but E-Noticies has now thrown Rodrygo’s name into the mix, labeling him as Salah’s potential “replacement.”
Rodrygo: A Star on the Rise, but Out of Position?
Rodrygo, a Brazil international, has been with Real Madrid since 2019, amassing an impressive trophy cabinet that includes three LaLiga titles and two Champions League triumphs. Despite his pedigree, the 24-year-old has struggled for consistent game time this season under Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso. With only two starts in LaLiga and one in the Champions League, Rodrygo has fallen down the pecking order at the Santiago Bernabeu, fueling speculation about a potential move.
According to E-Noticies, Liverpool see Rodrygo as a prime candidate to succeed Salah, with Real Madrid reportedly open to selling the winger for €85 million. The Reds’ interest in Rodrygo is not new—TEAMtalk confirmed in the summer of 2025 that Liverpool had explored a move for the Brazilian. However, a significant obstacle stands in the way of this transfer: Rodrygo’s positional preferences.
The Glaring Problem: Positional Mismatch
While Rodrygo is a versatile forward, capable of playing across the front line, his career statistics reveal a clear preference for the left wing. Of his 317 career appearances, 147 have come as a right-winger, 86 as a left-winger, and 84 as a centre-forward. However, ESPN reported in May 2025 that Rodrygo prefers “to play on the left side of the attack rather than on the right.” This sentiment was echoed in August when his representatives reportedly met with Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez to express discontent over his deployment.
This season, Alonso has predominantly used Rodrygo on the left flank, further aligning with the player’s stated preference. In contrast, Mohamed Salah has thrived as Liverpool’s right-winger, a role that has defined his legendary tenure at Anfield. For Liverpool to successfully integrate Rodrygo as Salah’s successor, they would need to convince the Brazilian to adapt to a position he has openly expressed reluctance to play. This positional mismatch represents a glaring problem in Liverpool’s pursuit of the Real Madrid star.
Rodrygo’s Stance and Real Madrid’s Position
Adding to the complexity, Rodrygo has publicly reaffirmed his commitment to Real Madrid. In an interview with Marca in October 2025, he stated his desire to remain at the club, emphasizing that he would only leave if Real Madrid decided to offload him. This loyalty, combined with his positional preferences, poses a significant challenge for Liverpool. Even if the Reds were willing to meet Real Madrid’s €85 million asking price, persuading Rodrygo to embrace the right-wing role could prove difficult.
Furthermore, the credibility of E-Noticies as a source has been questioned. As a Catalan publication, it is unusual for them to have detailed insights into the transfer plans of a Real Madrid player, particularly one of Rodrygo’s stature. This raises doubts about the reliability of the report, though Liverpool’s prior interest in the winger, as confirmed by TEAMtalk, suggests there may be some truth to their pursuit.
Liverpool’s Next Steps
As Arne Slot and Richard Hughes continue their search for Mohamed Salah’s long-term successor, Rodrygo represents an ambitious but challenging target. His youth, versatility, and proven quality at the highest level make him an attractive option, but the positional mismatch and his commitment to Real Madrid are significant hurdles. Liverpool may need to explore other candidates, such as Olise, who could more seamlessly fit into Salah’s right-wing role.
For now, Salah remains a key figure for Liverpool, and his new contract ensures he will continue to lead the line for the foreseeable future. However, with the Egyptian’s form dipping and his age advancing, the Reds’ proactive approach to succession planning is understandable. Whether Rodrygo can be convinced to take on Salah’s mantle—or whether Liverpool will look elsewhere—remains to be seen.