Real Madrid attacker Rodrygo would be a success in the Premier League and has been urged to sign for champions-elect Liverpool, despite Mohamed Salah's recent contract extension.
Following months of speculation that has overshadowed an outstanding season for the Egypt international, Salah put pen to paper on a new two-year deal at Anfield last Friday.
The former Chelsea and Roma man may be approaching his 33rd birthday, but he has been in scintillating form in 2024-25 and recently broke the record for the most goal contributions in a 38-game Premier League season.
However, as Salah will be almost 35 by the time his next deal runs out, it is difficult to envisage the Egyptian being handed another extension, meaning that Liverpool will have to draw up a succession plan in the coming years.
Last September, it was reported that the Reds viewed Real 24-year-old Rodrygo as an ideal replacement for Salah, and former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker Morientes would love that move to come to fruition.
Morientes talks up Rodrygo transfer to Liverpool
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"If Rodrygo leaves Real Madrid, I'd love for him to go to Liverpool," the three-time Champions League winner said, courtesy of bet365's UEFA Champions League Coverage. "However, he plays in Mohamed Salah's position, which would mean Salah wouldn't be in the team anymore, which I'm not too keen on either.
"But it's true that Rodrygo has Premier League qualities. Open games, games with space, games with limited resources where he has to navigate in short spaces, a player with tremendous quality and individual talent that can do both.
"I think he should add to his performances the fact that he's been more consistent in terms of goals because there have been times when he's been consistent, but then he's had a few slumps, and that's often blamed on him here at Real Madrid.
"I'd like to see him in the Premier League, and I'd like to see him at Liverpool to see how he performs in that league."
Rodrygo has contributed a respectable 13 goals and 10 assists in 46 matches for Real Madrid this season, and the Brazilian's contract with Los Blancos runs until the summer of 2028.
How Rodrygo could still fit in at Liverpool despite Salah extension
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With no disrespect to Rodrygo - an immensely talented player - Real fans would likely be the least concerned about losing him out of their fearsome attacking quartet also comprising Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior.
So long as Salah is fit and performing at the top of his game, he will start on the right-hand side for Liverpool, but Rodrygo himself has said that his favoured position is on the left-hand side, where he can cut infield and get shots away with his stronger right foot.
"I am more effective when I play on the left. The way the team plays always favours the wide player out on the left. It has worked well for me and I want to continue that playing on the right," he said in an interview with El Pais earlier this year.
Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo are Liverpool's two main options on that side at present, but the former could be on the way out this summer, while Gakpo has not regained his rhythm after a knock in February.
Diaz's possible exit could open the door for Liverpool to try their luck with Rodrygo, but as a new striker, left-back and Trent Alexander-Arnold replacement will also be on the agenda, such a move may not be financially feasible.
Ben Knapton
