"I almost went to Liverpool," says Real Madrid forward Rodrygo

Rodrygo reveals he almost joined the Reds before Real Madrid signed him

The Real Madrid star Rodrygo gave an explanation for why, in 2017, he turned down the chance to sign a €3 million deal to join Liverpool.

The 23-year-old forward, who is highly regarded, was signed by Santos in his native country when European interest initially surfaced. The Anfield-based Premier League powerhouses attempted to sign Rodrygo at one point, but he rejected their approaches and instead waited for a 2019 transfer to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Explaining that decision, Rodrygo has said: “We didn’t close the deal because I didn’t want to. I wanted to stay at Santos even though the offer was very good. The pathway they promised me would also have been very good for my career. I was going to finish my studies in England to prepare for European football. It had always been my dream to play in Europe. Everything was very good, but my desire spoke louder. I wanted to stay at Santos and make a bit of history at the club. And that’s what happened: I was able to fulfil my dream of playing for Santos. But it’s true, I almost went to Liverpool.”

Two years after making an incredible impact off the bench in a semi-final matchup with Manchester City, Rodrygo will take the pitch against English opponents in preparation for another matchup with the Premier League champions. He continued after receiving a difficult draw in the continental competition quarterfinal:

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“It brings back good memories but also bad ones. This was an opponent that, to be honest, we didn’t want to face. And they think the same as well: they didn’t want to play against us. It’s a game that everyone expects to be the final, but it’s going to be now. Man City are very good, but our team is also very strong. It’s going to be good to meet them again.

“They’re the Champions League winners, they’re the world champions, today they’re the best team in the world, so we have total respect for them. There are no bad or medium [City] players. There’s no player you can think of like: ‘This one I’m going to press because he isn’t good and he will give us a goal or a great chance.’ They have a very good control of the game and of the ball. It’s a very beautiful game, a very difficult team. It’s very annoying to play against them but I believe in our team.”

Tuesday’s opening leg of a heavyweight quarterfinal tie between Real Madrid and City will take place at Real, who are currently leading La Liga. Rodrygo, who recently scored a game-winning brace against Athletic Club, will be looking to play a significant role in that match.

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