Liverpool are understood to be monitoring Aston Villa sensation Morgan Rogers ahead of a potential summer shake-up at Anfield, as Arne Slot looks to inject more “physicality and unpredictability” into his evolving frontline.
Despite the 23-year-old only recently putting pen to paper on a bumper contract extension until 2031, reports understands that the deal was viewed internally at Villa Park as a strategic play to protect his market value rather than a definitive “not for sale” sign.
With Villa navigating the tightrope of the Premier League’s new Squad Cost Ratio (SCR) rules, the prospect of a “pure profit” sale similar to the departures of academy graduates Jacob Ramsey and Omari Kellyman is no longer being ruled out.
Slot’s search for a ‘system unicorn’
The interest in Rogers comes at a time of tactical recalibration under Slot. While the summer of 2025 saw the high-profile arrivals of Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, the Reds have occasionally lacked the raw, vertical power that Rogers has provided for Unai Emery’s side this season.
Rogers has been a revelation in the Midlands, bagging ten goals and seven assists this term, including a standout performance against the Reds at Anfield back in November where he rattled the woodwork and forced a series of world-class saves from Giorgi Mamardashvili. It is that ability to “create chaos” from deep that has alerted Liverpool’s recruitment team.
In Slot’s 4-2-3-1, Rogers is viewed as a unique “multi-functional” asset. Standing at 6’2, he possesses the frame of a traditional target man but the technical grace of a No. 10. For Liverpool, he represents a tactical bridge a player capable of filling the central “creator” role currently occupied by Dominik Szoboszlai, while also providing a physical alternative to the more diminutive Florian Wirtz on the left.
The £100m question
However, any move for the England international will not come cheap. Reports suggest Villa could hold out for a fee in excess of £100 million, a figure that would make Rogers one of the most expensive British players in history.
Villa’s position is bolstered by their current league standing, sitting third and six points clear of fifth-placed Liverpool. While Champions League qualification would provide a significant revenue boost for the Birmingham club, the accounting benefits of selling a player with Rogers’ low book value (having joined from Middlesbrough for just £8m) remain a tempting “get out of jail free” card for any club managing regulatory pressure.
A summer of decisions
For Liverpool, the pursuit of Rogers may hinge on the futures of the club’s established guard. With speculation continuing to swirl around the long-term plans for Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo, the recruitment of a 23-year-old with Rogers’ ceiling would signal a definitive shift toward the next phase of the Slot era.
Chelsea and Manchester United are also said to be keeping a close eye on the situation, but the lure of Anfield and the chance to be the centerpiece of Slot’s “heavy metal” evolution could give the Reds the edge if they decide to pull the trigger.
For Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes, the decision will come down to “durability and ceiling.” Liverpool’s data-led approach traditionally shies away from bidding wars, but Rogers’ injury-free record and his ability to play 3,000+ minutes a season at high intensity make him a “low-risk” elite investment.
With Chelsea reportedly prepared to offer a “player-plus-cash” deal to offset the fee, Liverpool may have to decide whether to match the raw cash valuation or risk losing the Premier League’s most exciting homegrown talent to a direct rival.
If Liverpool are to sanction a British-record move for Morgan Rogers, the financial landscape at Anfield must shift. While the Reds have historically been masters of the “sell-to-buy” model, the summer of 2026 feels like a definitive end of an era for several Klopp-era stalwarts.
The most significant departure could be Mohamed Salah. Despite signing an extension in 2025 that keeps him at the club until 2027, the Egyptian’s relationship with Slot has been under intense scrutiny following a high-profile fallout in December.
With the Saudi Pro League and MLS ready to offer a transformational fee for a 33-year-old with one year left on his deal, a £70m+ sale would provide the bulk of the “Rogers Fund.” Replacing the iconic winger with the 23-year-old Rogers represents the ultimate “youth-for-experience” gamble.
