---
title: "Liverpool: Reds eyeing Guido Rodriguez"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/liverpool-reds-eyeing-guido-rodriguez/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "David Comerford"
section: "Liverpool Football Club"
published: "2021-08-03T10:15:34Z"
modified: "2021-08-03T10:15:34Z"
---

# Liverpool: Reds eyeing Guido Rodriguez

**Liverpool have identified Real Betis midfielder Guido Rodriguez as a potential replacement for Georginio Wijnaldum, according to [La Razon](https://www.larazon.es/deportes/laotraliga/20210801/svraaclakvcixmwwgujtetckdq.html).**

### The lowdown

Predominantly a defensive midfielder, the Argentine made 35 La Liga appearances last season, averaging 2.8 tackles, 1.9 interceptions and 1.5 clearances per game (via [WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/303876/Show/Guido-Rodr%C3%ADguez)). To put those numbers in context, Liverpool’s top tackler last season was Thiago ([2.5 per game](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/26/Show/England-Liverpool)) and their most frequent interceptor was Jordan Henderson ([1.6](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/26/Show/England-Liverpool)).

However, Rodriguez was also something of a yellow card magnet, picking up 10 over the course of the campaign. [Only seven players in the league amassed more](https://www.whoscored.com/Regions/206/Tournaments/4/Seasons/8321/Stages/18851/PlayerStatistics/Spain-LaLiga-2020-2021).

The 27-year-old was called up to the Argentina squad for this summer’s Copa America and [started four matches](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/guido-rodriguez/nationalmannschaft/spieler/342385) for the eventual winners.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”359326″\]

### The latest

The report from [La Razon](https://www.larazon.es/deportes/laotraliga/20210801/svraaclakvcixmwwgujtetckdq.html) claimed that Liverpool targetted Atletico Madrid’s Saul Niguez to bolster their midfield ranks, but their arch-rivals Manchester United are now leading the race for the Spaniard.

Rodriguez, who has previously attracted interest from Arsenal, has an €80m (£68.3m) release clause, but Betis are willing to sell him for around €30m (£25.6m). Furthermore, they need to clear wages off the books so they can register a new signing in Brazilian centre-back Lyanco.

### The verdict

Rodriguez shouldn’t be considered a like-for-like Wijnaldum replacement by any means. Instead, he looks to be a more destructive presence in midfield.

However, Liverpool could use a player who can screen the back four effectively should Fabinho succumb to injury. They sorely missed that protection in the middle of the park when the Brazilian [had to play as a centre-back](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/fabinho/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/225693/plus/0/saison/2020/wettbewerb/GB1/verein/31) last season.

With Betis inclined to compromise, Liverpool should be able to agree a reasonable fee if they choose to escalate their interest in a player who seems to be a very worthwhile alternative to Saul, who appears increasingly unattainable.

**In other news, [many Liverpool fans erupted as this transfer news emerged](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/liverpool-fc-transfer-rumours/liverpool-fans-erupt-as-news-emerges-on-federico-chiesa-bid/).**