Liverpool may need to make changes to their attacking ranks at some point in 2026.
Though he did return to the squad last month, Mohamed Salah’s future at Anfield remains unclear beyond 2026.
The Egyptian is under contract until 2027, though a potential move to Saudi Arabia or the MLS this year has been mooted.
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If Salah does leave, it would mean Federico Chiesa, who Arne Slot benched this week to play a defender on the wing, would be the only natural right-wing cover at the club.
However, the Reds already have some potential attacking targets they were looking at during the back end of 2025.
Liverpool target Rodrygo ready to leave Real Madrid
It emerged in December that Liverpool have a four-man attacking shortlist.
Journalist Tobias Altschaffl said: “Michael Olise is on this backup list. Along with three other names: Kenan Yildiz from Juventus Turin, Rodrygo from Real Madrid and Iliman Ndiaye from Everton.”
Rodrygo was linked with a potential summer move as well, but he ended up remaining at Real Madrid.
He has been in and out of the starting eleven under Xabi Alonso this season, and Sport have now reported that the Brazilian has decided he wants to leave Los Blancos.
In a bid to secure a transfer, the South American is understood to be in talks with two agencies, with a decision to be made over who he will choose in the coming weeks.
It’s added that if Rodrygo got his way, he would secure a move in the current transfer window.
However, a Real Madrid exit is unlikely to happen this month, in part due to Kylian Mbappe’s injury.
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Can Rodrygo replace Mohamed Salah
The short answer is no, but in reality, no player Liverpool could feasibly sign would.
However, the Reds seem to be aware of this and have started to shift their focus away from the Egyptian.
They spent a record sum on Alexander Isak and now appear to be trying to make a number nine their talisman, rather than attempting to replace the goal contributions of Salah.
Rodrygo, who was called ‘special’ by Carlo Ancelotti when they worked together, would still be a decent signing, though.
He’s scored 70 goals and provided 55 assists during his time at Real Madrid, and is also capable of operating off the left.
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