What Jude Bellingham said about Rodrygo proves he’s an ideal Arne Slot signing
Arne Slot has every reason to accelerate Liverpool’s pursuit of Rodrygo before the transfer window shuts on 1 September.
Liverpool have been keen on Rodrygo since the end of last season when they won the Premier League title..
Hugo Ekitike has landed at Anfield from RB Leipzig. Florian Wirtz from Bayern Leverkusen was signed for a hefty fee. Even Alexander Isak looks on track to sign at Liverpool this summer.
Yet the Reds are still trying to get the Brazilian’s transfer over the line. However, Jude Bellingham may have given Slot’s side the perfect reason to accelerate on his transfer.
Jude Bellingham observes Rodrygo ‘sacrifices’ the most at Real Madrid
Bellingham was on the Reds’ radar before his unexpected transfer to Real Madrid.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has since “regrettably” left Liverpool to join his England teammate at Madrid. However, the Premier League winners are determined to get their lick back by signing Rodrygo from the La Liga side.
Madrid are believed to be content to allow the winger to leave for the right price. But he is still debating whether to take the leap and start anew.
Nevertheless, Bellingham may have given Liverpool the sign they needed to convince the Brazilian to sign at Anfield.
Speaking to CBS News after Madrid’s victory against Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League on 19 February, he said: “I think he sacrifices the most.
“We all know that his favourite position is on the left, but he does a lot for the team from the right even though it’s not his position. And he never complains.”
Slot’s Premier League-winning campaign last season was built upon trust and the collective. 11 players attacking the ball and 11 players defending it.
Rodrygo has been shoehorned into the right wing position at Madrid even though it is not his preferred one. But he never complains. In fact, he is content to continue on the right side to impress Xabi Alonso at Madrid.
He is a Slot player in every sense of the word and it is not a shock that Liverpool are keen to sign him this summer.
How does Rodrygo compare to Cody Gakpo?
Luis Diaz’s transfer to Bayern Munich has meant that Liverpool are in great need of reinforcements on the left wing.
Cody Gakpo is currently holding down the fort, but he could be outmanoeuvred if Rodrygo lands at Anfield.
If comparing Gakpo and Rodrygo last season, the current Liverpool player has him beat in almost every metric. The Brazilian only excels in ball carrying and assists.
However, in what seems promising for the Reds almost all of Rodrygo’s goal contributions in La Liga last season came from the left side. In 31 appearances for Madrid, he contributed to nine goals when playing as a left winger, while he put up a measly three while on the right.
This is proof that in the right conditions, the winger has what it takes to excel on any top team. Therefore, Liverpool should go all out in signing him this summer.
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