Liverpool's 'key' to unlocking €150m Bellingham transfer

Stuart Telford

• 23 Feb 2023 10:39 GMT
• 3 min read

Liverpool hold a key advantage in the pursuit of England midfielder Jude Bellingham, according to reports.

Bellingham has emerged as one of the most in-demand players in world football in recent seasons, now an England regular and one who has already led Borussia Dortmund out in the Champions League at the tender age of 19.

Liverpool have made the youngster their top transfer target next summer, but face fierce competition from Real Madrid and Manchester City, while Manchester United and Chelsea have also reportedly entered the race for his signature.

READ: EXCLUSIVE: Liverpool could sign Bellingham AND Mount this summer

But Bellingham continues to lean towards Liverpool, despite the fact the Reds are enduring their worst season in seven years under Jurgen Klopp.

Klopp crucial

"Bellingham is a huge admirer of Klopp and Liverpool, and several sources have insisted he wouldn't necessarily be put off by the club's recent blip," report the Athletic.

"Another potential advantage for Liverpool is Klopp's relationship with his former club. And with Liverpool’s director of football Julian Ward soon to depart, the manager’s role in trying to secure Bellingham could be particularly crucial."

READ: Liverpool in crisis: The simple tweak that can fix Klopp's broken team

Klopp led Dortmund to back-to-back Bundesliga titles at Bayern Munich's expense in 2011 and 2012 before leaving for Liverpool in 2015.

Liverpool were thrashed 5-2 by fellow potential Bellingham suitors Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday, but that game - whilst a painful result for the Reds - actually makes another case for them in the Bellingham pursuit.

Liverpool were overrun in midfield, with the ageing Fabinho and Jordan Henderson joined by 18-year-old Stefan Bajcetic. Bellingham would be a sure starter at Anfield, while Real have a number of world class players in the position.

Even if Luka Modric and Toni Kroos were to leave at the end of the season - which might not happen - Real boast, in Aurelien Tchoumeni, Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga, three midfielders approaching their primes.