Liverpool ‘keeping a close eye’ on “decisive” Real Madrid forward amid ongoing contract dispute at the Bernabeu

Real Madrid's Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior. (REUTERS/Susana Vera)

Liverpool endured yet another miserable afternoon on Saturday as Arne Slot’s side were swept aside 3-0 by Nottingham Forest.

The defeat means the Reds have now lost six of their past seven Premier League games, sliding to 11th in the table and delivering the second-worst start by any defending champion after 12 matches in Premier League history.

Despite heavy investment in the summer, the squad still looks far from balanced — and attention is already turning toward another potentially huge addition.

According to The Mirror, Liverpool are closely tracking developments surrounding Vinicius Jr as uncertainty deepens over the winger’s long-term future at Real Madrid.

The Brazilian has reached superstar status since joining Los Blancos from Flamengo, but tensions with new manager Xabi Alonso have cast doubt over his next steps. Alonso recently labelled the forward “decisive,” yet their relationship is described as strained, with Vinicius reportedly unwilling to discuss a contract extension under current circumstances.

The 25-year-old was said to be furious after being substituted during last month’s Clasico and, although he apologised publicly, the situation behind the scenes remains unsettled. Reports suggest he is not prepared to sign a new deal at the moment, leaving Real increasingly vulnerable as his contract runs only until 2027.

Should the stand-off continue, top Premier League clubs — including Liverpool, long-term admirers of the winger — are expected to monitor the situation closely.

Vinicius has scored 111 goals in 340 appearances for Real Madrid, with five already this season. And with Madrid back in action midweek before a clash with high-flying Girona, his future is set to remain a major talking point.

Barnaby Lane is a highly experienced sports writer who has written for The Times, FourFourTwo Magazine, Sports Illustrated, TalkSPORT, and Business Insider.

Over the years, he's had the pleasure of interviewing some of the biggest names in world sport, including Usain Bolt, Rafael Nadal, Christian Pulisic, and more.