Liverpool continues to be linked with Rodrygo despite obvious transfer need

As Liverpool embarks on a new chapter under the leadership of Arne Slot , there are still several uncertainties.

However, an impressive pre-season has instilled confidence in the Reds ahead of their Premier League game against Ipswich Town on Saturday. The role of certain players under Slot and how they will adapt to a new playing style is yet to be determined. Will Trent Alexander-Arnold play at right-back? Who will take on the role of defensive midfield anchor? And who will makeup the attacking trio?

In a friendly match against Sevilla that ended in a 4-1 victory for Liverpool, Slot chose Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota , and Mohamad Salah as his forwards. Diaz netted two goals while Jota scored and assisted, contributing to a stellar performance by the Reds.

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As the season opener approaches, it appears these three are Slot's preferred choice. Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez were the starting forwards in the subsequent friendly against Las Palmas, but neither managed to score against the La Liga team.

Thanks to astute recruitment by the previous management, Liverpool boasts one of the best, if not the best, attacking depth in the Premier League. Despite this, Spanish media continue to link Real Madrid's Rodrygo with a potential move to Anfield .

Mundo Deportivo claims the Reds have shown interest in the forward, whose future at Madrid seems uncertain following the arrival of Kylian Mbappe this summer. According to the Liverpool ECHO, Liverpool is highly unlikely to sign the 23-year-old. Slot doesn't need to add to his forward line, while the Brazilian's hefty price tag is also a big problem.

Transfermarkt.com currently values Rodrygo at €110 million ($121 million), but Madrid is expected to ask for significantly more. Despite not having spent any money in the transfer market this summer, this just isn't the type of deal Liverpool should be considering.

Naturally, there's a buzz around the potential transfer. Rodrygo is an outstanding player who could bring a fresh dynamic to the attack. However, with Diaz, Nunez, Jota, and Gakpo already supporting Salah, Slot's attacking line-up is well-stocked, and the priority clearly lies elsewhere. Slot should target a holding midfielder instead.