I almost went to Liverpool - the offer was very good but I didn’t want to complete 'dream' transfer

Rodrygo has revealed how he once turned down a move to Liverpool despite receiving a ‘very good’ offer from the Reds.

With Kylian Mbappe set to join Real Madrid in the summer, the Brazilian has found his future to be the subject of speculation in recent months despite his insistence that he wants to stay put at the Bernabeu.

Meanwhile, with Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz’s own Anfield futures also frequently featuring in the transfer gossip columns, Liverpool have been linked with a possible move for Rodrygo as a result.

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While there is nothing concrete in such speculation at this time, the Reds have tried to sign Rodrygo once before. However, the 23-year-old, who has scored 52 goals and recorded 40 assists from 207 appearances in his five seasons in Spain, has revealed why he turned down the move to Anfield.

“We didn’t close the deal because I didn’t want to,” he told the Guardian. “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.”

Rodrygo was only 16 years old when he rejected the chance to join Liverpool in a €3m transfer from Santos in 2017. He went on to sign his first professional contract and make his