Liverpool are showing serious interest in Gilberto Mora, but there is already another familiar name hovering around the teenager.
Real Madrid.
Liverpool have made direct contact with Mora’s representatives as they explore a potential deal for the 17-year-old Club Tijuana star. Real Madrid and Barcelona are also continuing to monitor his situation, with Mora now one of the most talked-about young players in European football.
And this is where I start thinking: here we go again.
Because Liverpool seem to keep finding themselves competing with Real Madrid.
Trent Alexander-Arnold went there last summer.
Ibrahima Konaté followed him this summer.
Virgil van Dijk has now been linked with a move to Madrid as his Liverpool contract approaches its final year.
And even when Liverpool are trying to sign somebody, Real Madrid somehow end up in the conversation.
Mora is the latest example
Liverpool have been interested in Mora for some time, so this isn’t a case of the Reds suddenly jumping on the latest wonderkid hype.
The 17-year-old made a huge impression at the 2026 World Cup and has continued to attract attention since returning to Club Tijuana.
Liverpool have already made contact with his representatives, and reports now suggest they are seriously considering a move once Mora turns 18 on October 14 and can make an international transfer.
But they aren’t alone.
Real Madrid remain interested.
Barcelona are interested too.
And reports from Football Insider now claim Mora’s preference would be to move to Spain rather than join Liverpool.
That obviously makes things more complicated.
It doesn’t mean Liverpool have lost him.
But it does mean the Reds are facing another battle for a player they clearly like.
Liverpool have been here before
The Yan Diomande situation is still fresh in the memory.
Liverpool reportedly made the teenager one of their major targets, only for Real Madrid to eventually win the race.
That’s frustrating enough when you’re a supporter.
But then you look at what’s happened with Liverpool’s own players.
Trent left for Madrid.
Konaté has now followed him.
And Van Dijk is being linked with the same club.
I’m not suggesting there’s some great conspiracy here.
Real Madrid are simply one of the biggest clubs in the world and they want the best players.
But when you’re a Liverpool supporter watching the same thing happen repeatedly, you do start to get a little fed up.
Liverpool shouldn’t back away
This is where I think Liverpool have to stand their ground.
If the club genuinely believes Mora can become a top player, then keep pushing.
He’s 17.
There is absolutely no guarantee that he becomes the superstar people are already predicting.
But Liverpool clearly see enough in him to make contact and explore the possibility of a deal.
That’s what matters.
And I don’t want Liverpool walking away just because Real Madrid are interested.
If you’re going to compete at the top level of European football, sometimes you’re going to be competing against Real Madrid.
You can’t avoid that.
You just have to be prepared to win some of those battles.
That’s the frustrating part
I actually think the pattern says something positive about Liverpool’s recruitment.
They’re identifying players that the very biggest clubs want too.
That’s not a bad place to be.
But I’d quite like to see Liverpool actually get one over on Madrid for a change.
Trent is gone.
Konaté is gone.
Diomande is gone.
Van Dijk’s situation remains unresolved.
And now Mora is being pulled into the same conversation.
Liverpool can’t control what a 17-year-old wants to do with his career, particularly if Real Madrid or Barcelona are offering him the dream move.
But they can show Mora what Liverpool can offer.
They can give him a pathway.
They can explain where he fits into Iraola’s plans.
And if they really believe he’s special, they can make a serious attempt to get the deal done.
Because I’d much rather Liverpool lose a transfer battle after doing everything they possibly can than simply step aside when Madrid arrive.
Liverpool just can’t seem to escape Real Madrid.
But perhaps Gilberto Mora is the one where the Reds finally get the better of them.
By Jamie (The Kopite View)
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