Pros

Word class ability

Reports on Wednesday evening suggested that James Rodriguez is on Liverpool’s wishlist to replace Philippe Coutinho. The South American playmaker is arguably a bigger name than Coutinho.

James is on loan at Bayern Munich from Real Madrid. The 26-year-old struggled to shine at los Blancos with intense competition for a starting spot.

The attacker has scored three goals and has made four assists in 13 games in the Bundesliga. Rodriguez is starting to find his form in Germany. The Colombian established himself as a world class performer at the 2014 World Cup.

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About to hit his prime

It feels like James has been around for quite awhile. The Bayern star burst onto the scene at the World Cup and earned a £70m move to Real Madrid from Monaco.

James hasn’t hit the same heights at the Bernabeu. However, there are signs the Colombian midfielder is turning a corner at Bayern Munich. Under Jurgen Klopp’s guidance, Liverpool could get the South American’s best years. Rodriguez will turn 27 in July.

Set-piece prowess

Liverpool will struggle to find a free-kick taker as prolific as Coutinho. The Brazil international was lethal from dead ball situations. Rodriguez has earned a reputation for being clinical free-kick taker, too. His addition would ensure Liverpool still have a threat from set-piece situations around opposition penalty areas.

Cons

Holds Oxlade-Chamberlain’s development back

Summer signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has started to find his feet at Liverpool. The England midfielder moved to Anfield from Arsenal in a £40m deal on deadline day last summer.

Coutinho’s departure has presented the 24-year-old with a chance to establish himself in central midfield. Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher suggested that was his best position following an impressive performance in a 4-3 win against Premier League leaders Manchester City on Sunday.

Rodriguez’s addition would potential hamper Oxlade-Chamberlain’s progress and block his path to the first team.

Does not fit Klopp’s profile

Klopp loves hard-working forward players who are willing to press from the front. Just look at how Roberto Firmino has become so instrumental to the Reds team.

Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Adam Lallana and Oxlade-Chamberlain are all in the same mould. Rodriguez is a talented player but the Colombian playmaker’s work ethic has been criticised in the past.

The Bayern star is a player who needs to feel like he is the fulcrum of the team. Would Klopp be able to provide that at Liverpool?

Too expensive

Liverpool have money to spend following Coutinho’s £142m move to Barcelona in January. Real Madrid signed Rodriguez in a £70m deal from Monaco in 2014.

According to reports in Spain, los Blancos want to recoup most of that outlay. It’s difficult to imagine Liverpool coughing up the cash to satisfy Real Madrid’s asking price. Klopp has bought well in the transfer market when spending sums in excess of £25m.

Rodriguez would represent a gamble given his hefty price tag, high wages and patchy form at both Bayern and Real Madrid.