‘Keen’ Slot target ‘jets in’ but Reds boss faces

Liverpool are still in the market for an attacker, but they will reportedly face competition from Manchester City for a forward, who will jet in to England.

Real Madrid forward Rodrygo is keen on a move to the Premier League and has jetted in for talks with Liverpool and Manchester City, the latest report has claimed.

The new Premier League season is underway, with City and the Reds winning against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Bournemouth respectively on the opening weekend.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has overseen expenditure worth nearly £300m this summer, but the Dutchman’s attacking ranks are still thin.

City head coach Pep Guardiola’s side scored four times against Wolves, but the Spaniard is reportedly still in the market for more offensive additions.

Football Insider claim that both teams will hold talks with winger Rodrygo, who is out of favour at Real Madrid under Xabi Alonso.

Why Arne Slot needs Real Madrid’s Rodrygo as Alexander Isak alternative

Liverpool are set to take on Newcastle United on Monday, but they are likely to head into that game with just four senior forwards for three positions.

Federico Chiesa is seen as a versatile attacking option, while Hugo Ekitike, Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah are the club’s only established stars in the three frontline positions.

The Merseysiders have been pursuing Newcastle’s Alexander Isak this summer, but the centre-forward has so far proven elusive due to the Magpies’ failure to sign a replacement.

Rodrygo has primarily played from the left in his career, and he would allow Ekitike to regularly start in his favoured striker role at Anfield, whereas Isak would almost certainly have started in a central position.

The Real Madrid forward also has experience operating centrally and on the left, and the 24-year-old could allow Slot to set up in a variety of tactical systems.

Does Pep Guardiola need Rodrygo or can Manchester City get by?

The Citizens look strong in attack, with the likes of Omar Marmoush, Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku and Savinho representing options that could support striker Erling Haaland.

It is difficult to see why Guardiola would want Rodrygo without exits considering Marmoush and Doku both perform at their best on the left side of the pitch.

If Marmoush was used in a more central position behind Haaland, perhaps the Real man would make more sense as he would only be competing with Doku for a spot in the XI.

Having two players for every position could cause friction in the team, so Guardiola will have to carefully balance his squad-building plans to maintain harmony in the dressing.

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