Liverpool have been warned by Jamie Redknapp how Jude Bellingham might not want to sign for the club if they don’t finish in the Premier League’s top four.
The Reds were beaten 3-2 by the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The loss leaves Jurgen Klopp’s side in 10th place in the league table and 14 points adrift of top spot.
Despite goals from Darwin Nunez and Roberto Firmino, it would not be enough to leave North London with any points. Gabriel Martinelli and a Bukayo Saka brace, with his second coming from the penalty spot, sealed Liverpool's defeat.
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Bellingham continues to be heavily linked with a move to Merseyside. The Borussia Dortmund midfielder is likely to be one of the most sought-after assets next summer, with the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester City and Chelsea all being linked with his signature.
Speaking after Liverpool’s defeat to Arsenal, Redknapp has warned that Bellingham won’t be signing for the Reds if they don’t qualify for next season’s Champions League. Liverpool are currently six points outside the top four places.
Redknapp told Sky Sports: “The dream or the hope for Liverpool fans and I’m sure Jurgen Klopp is the same, to get Jude Bellingham as a midfield player for everyone because he’s the best midfield player in the country.
“He is someone who can completely change that midfield area but if you don’t make top four, he’s not coming to Liverpool and that’s the dilemma they have.
“They’ve been in worse positions than before so they will get better.”
Paul Merson was alongside Redknapp in analysing Liverpool’s hopes of securing a top four spot. The former Arsenal star explained how the current points gap makes the task very difficult for Klopp’s side.
“Well they’ve got to get into top four haven’t they? Two big football teams are going to miss out this season, there’s six teams and Liverpool don’t want to be one of them,” Merson told Sky Sports.
“They play Man City next, Arsenal win their next game and Liverpool get beat against Man City that’s 17 points. You put it into perspective, that’s six football matches Arsenal would have to lose.
“Say Liverpool lose four [games] until the end of the season, Arsenal would have to lose a third of their football matches, that’s mid-table. This team [Arsenal] aren’t losing 10 football matches.”
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