Liverpool: Reds Linked To Rojas Move

Australian based winger Marco Rojas has been connected with a move to Anfield amid reports Liverpool scouts are set to watch him this weekend...

Unheralded New Zealand international Marco Rojas was today linked with a transfer to Liverpool FC by a number of sources including Sky Sports and TalkSPORT.

The 21-year-old winger, who can also perform centrally as an attacking midfielder, has so far plied his whole career in the Australian A-League and currently plays for Melbourne Victory.

Rojas has 10 goals in 15 games so far this season and clubs across the world are starting to take notice.

Indeed, scouts from Italian giants Juventus are expected to join their Liverpool counterparts at Saturday's match against Alessandro Del Piero's Sydney FC.

Interestingly Rojas, who is of Chilean descent, is out of contract in three months time and could be available for as little as £500k should someone choose to buy him during January.

However, Melbourne coach Ange Postecoglu, despite admitting he would not be surprised by interest from oversees, remains hopeful of retaining the services of Rojas at least for now.

"I'm in contact with his dad very regularly and at this stage we're confident he'll stay with us until the end of the season," Postecoglou told local Australian newspaper the Herald Sun.

"We've been in constant discussion with Marco and from our point of view we're very happy with his form this season and how he's developing and his development is a priority.

"At this stage we're comfortable with how he's going and where things are at."

Rojas has been at the Victory since March 2011 when he signed from Wellington Phoenix shortly after winning the Phoenix's young player of the year award. The wideman has 13 caps for the New Zealand national team and has one goal to his name so far.

News of the Reds interest follows reports in recent days that the club is close to signing creative 20-yesr-old Brazilian Philippe Coutinho from Inter Milan.

Vital Verdict
Unsurprisingly Rojas is not a player we are familiar with but based on what we've seen and heard he may well be worth a gamble especially if we could purchase him for very little or even nothing. On paper he would seem to fulfil the preferred e-fit of a Liverpool signing according to the club's owners Fenway Sports Group; young, versatile, cheap and with good resale potential. Potentially Brendan Rodgers and Liverpool's hierarchy could view Rojas as a back up option should the protracted re-signing of Tom Ince not materialise. Many fans will look at this latest link and again argue we need more experience in the team; it's hard to disagree with them. Although it is also right that the club do not bow to the astronmical demands of established stars such as Wesley Sneijder.

Likelihood (out of 5):




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