Xabi Alonso defends decision to not play Rodrygo again amid links to Liverpool

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For a fifth consecutive contest, Rodrygo did not earn a start for Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid. The Spanish giants unceremoniously fell 4-0 to PSG in the Club World Cup semifinals, a game Trent Alexander-Arnold missed with an injury.

"I didn’t play Rodrygo for a technical decision," Alonso told reporters in the mixed zone after the match. "We thought we would be better off with other players. It’s not about his future."

Liverpool is among several clubs to register an interest in the Brazilian winger, along with Arsenal, Manchester City, and Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr.

With the Reds looking to sell Luis Diaz and with the news of forward Diogo Jota's sudden passing, coach Arne Slot could be considering an option for a new forward.

Rodrygo, 24, started Madrid's opening game against Al-Hilal and assisted his side's first goal of the tournament to Gonzalo Garcia. He was substituted in the second half and was an unused substitute for Los Blancos' second game against Pachuca.

The Brazilian was a second-half substitute against RB Salzburg in Madrid's final group stage game before sitting out all of the club's Round of 16 matchup against Juventus. Alonso awarded him four minutes against Borussia Dortmund in the quarterfinals, potentially his final minutes with the club.

Rodrygo began his professional career with Brazilian club Santos. He considered a move to Liverpool as his first step to Europe but eventually opted for a pre-contract with Real Mardid in 2018, joining the Spanish side a year later.

(Image: Rodrygo)

The winger's finest moment with the club came in 2022 when he scored a pair of late goals in the UEFA Champions League semifinal against Manchester City to send the second leg to overtime. Madrid eventually won the contest and defeated Liverpool 1-0 in the final.

In 270 matches for Real Madrid, Rodrygo scored 68 goals. He tallied 14 goals and 11 assists in 54 appearances during the 2024/25 campaign. The Spanish side has reportedly slapped an €90 million ($105 million) price tag on the Brazilian.

He is redundant for the La Liga side. The club already have Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr in his preferred leftwing position, and Xabi Alonso experimented with a front two at the Club World Cup. Arda Guler emerged as a forward option on the right, and Garcia impressed as a center-forward possibility.

Rodrygo has previously spoken about how close he was to joining the Reds in 2017. “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 Brazilian explained.

“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.”

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