Liverpool's ethos this summer has been to fix the roof while the sun is still shining on their 20th English league title. The club have acted fast, making Florian Wirtz the new British transfer fee record signing, and adding full-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez to their books. But there's a sense that the business is far from finished, even as the Anfield faithful voice their reservations about a potential move for Rodrygo.
The Brazilian international is currently an overlooked member of the Real Madrid frontline that won a Champions League and La Liga double just 24 months ago, and it appears he is edging closer to a move away from the Bernabeu this summer. With Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez also rumoured to be leaving Anfield, the 24-year-old could provide Mohamed Salah and co. with some much-needed firepower.
As one of the best wingers in the world - having scored 20 goals across the last four Champions League campaigns - he would bring plenty to Arne Slot's side. However, Liverpool supporters aren’t so sure, with resurfaced comments he made about Salah during the 2022 final casting a shadow over whether or not he's wanted on Merseyside.
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The Brazilian revealed he and his teammates mocked the Egyptian King
Mo Salah Real Madrid
Salah had made comments in the build-up to the game about getting revenge after he went off injured in the first-half of the 2018 final between the two teams - which Los Blancos won 3-1 - and Rodrygo later revealed that the Egyptian's comments gave his side extra motivation for the game.
In an interview with Podpah back in 2022, Rodrygo detailed how midfielder Luka Modric openly taunted Salah in the tunnel after the Paris final, telling him to "try again next time" after Real Madrid won the match 1-0. "When a guy provokes you, sometimes you just want to win so you can make fun of them,' said the then-21-year-old (watch his interview below).
"In training, we used to say 'come on Salah, come on Salah'. In our head, it was already 'we need to win to make fun of Salah.'"
Needless to say, and evident in the post above, Liverpool supporters have been left incensed again by Rodrygo's comments, with many of the Anfield faithful pointing towards his attitude as a reason not to sign him this summer.
"Start a petition, I don't want him anywhere near my club," one X user said, while another remarked: Rodrygo. Do NOT join Liverpool FC. I will make your life a living hell if you even dare to step foot in MY city. This is your first and ONLY warning."
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However, those opinions are clearly limited to a minority, as there were even more fans that were willing to forgive the Brazilian and welcome him to the club as the Reds look to water the seeds of a successful new era that they sowed last term. "Hang on, people genuinely don’t want Rodrygo? Because he did a little giggle about Salah one time?" another X user asked.
"You guys do know that Neymar has literally crowned him his heir in the Brazilian national team? Like, he’s a generational talent who’s been sacrificed on the altar of Mbappe/Vini, but once he is freed from those shackles, he will literally be a Ballon d’Or contender."
"If the club wants him you're nobody to stop them," another X user commented in response to another trying to stop the Rodrygo deal from happening. "Do you even have stocks in the club? Give me a break. No emotions in business. He'll be fine when he comes," while another concluded: "We have ambition. Honestly name another left winger better than him right now that’s available."