Liverpool's signing of Cody Gakpo shows that they are not able to compete for the same calibre of player as Premier League champions Manchester City.
And that could impact their summer pursuit of England star Jude Bellingham - even if it seems clear that the midfielder is interested in a switch to Anfield.
That is the view of Mirror Football columnist Stan Collymore, whose own move to Liverpool in the summer of 1995 carried similar levels of secrecy.
