Report: Real Madrid and Liverpool discussing potential swap deal involving Rodrygo

The Reds made the perfect start to the new season by winning their first five Premier League matches before a nightmare month saw them lose their grip on top spot.

Liverpool lost four Premier League matches in a row to hand Arsenal control of the title race with the Gunners now eight points ahead of the third-placed Reds - but Arne Slot's side can close that gap when they face Manchester City on Sunday.

The Reds have got back on track in the last couple of matches with wins over Aston Villa and Real Madrid giving Liverpool fans hope for the rest of the season.

One area of the team that has been particularly disappointing is midfield with Germany international Florian Wirtz coming into the side after a huge-money move from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer.

And Spanish website Defensa Central now claims that Real Madrid are looking to do a deal to take Wirtz off Liverpool's hands in the near future.

The La Liga leaders have 'agreed to swap' Rodrygo for Wirtz with the Brazilian winger a 'long-standing target for the English club'.

It is understood that it would not be 'an easy operation, but neither side is averse to the idea' after Real Madrid withdrew from signing Wirtz in the summer over the huge transfer fee.

The report adds: 'If Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid had taken a chance on him, Florian Wirtz wouldn't have hesitated to join the Merengues. He doesn't regret his move to Liverpool, because it was a good move, but he's finding it difficult to adapt to the Premier League. He didn't expect the first few months to be so tough, but he's starting to settle in little by little.'

Analysing Wirtz's start to life at Liverpool, former England international Chris Waddle told BestBettingSites.com: "I've watched Wirtz for a few years, and he's a terrific talent, but he's having an awful time right now. He's not doing it for Germany either, and they're struggling a bit in World Cup qualifying.

"They have built the team around him there and it's not quite happening, but there's no doubting his talent. He was wonderful for Leverkusen but his confidence will be low while expectations are sky high.

"People forget he's only 21, but it's hard to just arrive in the Premier League. In Germany he had more time on the ball and now it's 100 miles an hour for him. He needs to get up to speed, and we don't know how easy he has found it to adjust off the pitch to a new life. If people are patient, he'll be fine.

"I had an awful start at Marseille, for months people questioned my signing, my price tag, and then it all clicked suddenly. I was 'Magic Chris' but before then I was getting annihilated. He just needs to settle down and get used to a physical league."