Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa has insisted that he has been pleased with Rodrigo's performances in the early stages of the 2021-22 campaign.

The 30-year-old has made four appearances for the Whites during the new season but was substituted at the interval of last weekend's Premier League clash with Liverpool.

When questioned on the Spaniard, Bielsa said that Rodrigo "played a very positive first half" against Jurgen Klopp's side and has backed the attacker amid criticism of his performances.

"Rodrigo from my point of view, even though I substituted him, he played a very positive first half [against Liverpool]. For a striker it's very difficult to receive the ball and create danger and I give a lot of value to those actions when you receive the ball, creating danger is possible," LeedsLive quotes Bielsa as saying.

"Rodrigo had had ten interventions of this type. He was close to creating danger. In none of the actions did he manage to accomplish it. I give a lot of value to his constant looking, that constant looking for actions that will allow us to score a goal.

"After you can fail to shine by not finishing the chances or you can fail to shine due to not generating chances. And Rodrigo in the first half of the last game created a lot of chances that would have imagined us scoring a goal."

Barcelona are believed to have attempted to sign the Spaniard on loan in the latter stages of the summer transfer window.