Jurgen Klopp’s pursuit of Jude Bellingham: The latest

Jacque Talbot

• 26 Dec 2022 12:39 GMT
• 4 min read

Jurgen Klopp has publicly admitted his admiration for Jude Bellingham after the teenager’s sublime display for England at the World Cup.

FootballTransfers has reported before on how the Borussia Dortmund star will decide his future next year, despite news that he had supposedly chosen Real Madrid.

Liverpool have been linked to the former Birmingham City midfielder for most of this year, but they face a battle for his signature from the likes of Los Blancos, Manchester City, and even Manchester United.

READ MORE: European Assists King 2022/23: Messi tops De Bruyne after World Cup heroics

Ahead of the Reds’ Premier League clash with Aston Villa on Saturday evening, Klopp was asked about the club’s interest in the young star - and the German could not hide the fact that he appreciates his ability, even though he stressed that a sticking point would be the player’s cost.

"I don’t like to talk about money when you talk about a player like him. Everyone can see he is just exceptional," Klopp said in a press conference.

"If you mention to someone who has no clue about football: ‘How old do you think Jude Bellingham is?’ I don’t think anyone would get even close to his age. They would say 28 or 29 because he plays so mature. He played an exceptional World Cup. Absolutely exceptional.

“With all the things he has and things he can improve, to describe him I would say the things he can do are difficult to learn, and the things he can improve are easy to learn. He is a really good player.

"What can I say? I have thought that already for two or three years since he had his breakthrough at Dortmund. Everybody knew already but I have no idea what that means for the money side of it. I really think if we all want to do him a favour then we do not talk too much about money. I mean that from an England point of view. Do not throw any hurdles in his development."

Champions League sticking point

The Reds have had a slow start to the season, languishing in sixth place, some seven points off the top-four spot that would enable them to play Champions League football next season.

It is thought that this could be another issue for bringing the likes of Bellingham to Merseyside - though Klopp insisted that it’s a good thing that a player only wants to play for a club competing at the highest level.

Klopp added: "It is very important for the club and that is our main target now [Champions League]. It is important but, from a transfer perspective, generally, we have a good chance to qualify for the Champions League. Will it happen this year? I don’t know. But 100% we are one of the contenders for the next few years again.

"If you ask a player and he says: ‘Next year you are not in the Champions League and I would prefer to go to a football club who plays this year’, then I am not sure I would still want this player, to be honest. I understand it 100% - I want to be in the Champions League all the time. For the moment we have two pathways still to qualify for the Champions League next year. As long as that is the case, I see ourselves as proper contenders for Champions League qualification."