Recently, 31-year-old Shandong Luneng captain Liao Lisheng has become a focal point in Chinese football due to rumors linking him with Chengdu Rongcheng. At the time, many pundits believed that Liao's move to Chengdu Rongcheng was a foregone conclusion, making him a hot candidate to leave Luneng. However, in an interview with the media, Liao addressed the question of whether he would transfer to Chengdu Rongcheng.
Liao stated that he still has a contract with Shandong Taishan and will make a decision after fulfilling it. According to Transfermarkt, Liao's contract with Taishan is set to expire in 2026, so he is likely to remain with the club. Unless Chengdu Rongcheng is willing to pay a transfer fee in advance, they will not be able to secure Liao's services. Initially, Liao's performance with Taishan was mediocre, drawing criticism from fans.
At that time, Shandong fans considered Liao to be a weak link, unable to step up in crucial moments. As a result, he was labeled as a flop. However, when Choi Kang-hee took over as Taishan's head coach, he tailored a tactical system specifically for Liao. The saying "opportunity favors the prepared mind" applies well to Liao's situation. Under Choi's guidance, Liao reached new heights, winning back the trust of many fans.
During his Asian Champions League appearances for Taishan, Liao performed exceptionally well, contributing multiple assists. He became Taishan's assist king in the competition, reaching a new peak in his career. Additionally, Liao has the potential to be selected for the national team. Theoretically, if Liao truly has a contract with Taishan, it is highly unlikely that he will leave the team.
Liao signed a new contract with Taishan during the waning days of the CSL's golden football era, securing a top salary for national team players. If Chengdu Rongcheng were to sign Liao in the future, they would not be able to offer him a national team top salary. Therefore, as long as Luneng is willing to honor Liao's contract, he will continue to play for Taishan and deliver convincing performances in matches to help his old club win the CSL championship.