Liverpool are reportedly keeping a close eye on Real Betis midfielder Guido Rodriguez.
The Argentina international has become a mainstay of the Verdiblancos XI under Manuel Pellegrini and helped Betis win the Copa del Rey in the 2021-22 season.
Rodriguez ended the campaign with two goals and three assists from 47 games in all competitions, and he played the full 120 minutes against Valencia in the Copa del Rey final.
The 28-year-old has opened the 2022-23 season with one goal from 10 appearances, netting against Roma in a 2-1 Europa League win from the middle of the park.
Rodriguez's strong form for Betis has also earned him a regular role in the Argentina squad, and he made six appearances during their triumphant 2021 Copa America run.
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Rodriguez is only under contract with Pellegrini's side until 2024, having joined from Club America in 2020, and he will not be short of suitors if he does not extend his deal.
According to Estadio Deportivo, Liverpool hold an interest in bringing Rodriguez to Anfield, but Betis will sit down with the midfielder to discuss a possible renewal after the World Cup.
Betis' lack of funds limited their transfer activity in the summer window, as they could not put together an adequate package to re-sign Hector Bellerin on a permanent deal from Arsenal.
The Copa del Rey holders would have supposedly been open to letting Rodriguez leave for the right price in order to make more signings, but the report adds that a concrete offer did not arrive.
Rodriguez - who has also represented River Plate, Defensa and Club Tijuana - has registered a total of six goals and three assists from 110 appearances in a Real Betis shirt.
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Liverpool initially had no plans to beef up their midfield in the summer transfer window, but injuries then began to pile up for Jurgen Klopp, who lost Jordan Henderson, Thiago Alcantara, Curtis Jones, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in August.
That wave of injuries led the Reds to move for Juventus midfielder Arthur on loan, but the Brazilian's Anfield career failed to get going before suffering a severe thigh injury in training.
Arthur will remain sidelined for between three and four months while he recovers from his operation, and Liverpool are not expected to take up their option to make a deal permanent.
Instead, Klopp's side are expected to prioritize a big-money move for Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham, but they will also have to contend with Real Madrid, Manchester City and Chelsea for the 19-year-old's signature.
Ben Knapton
