Jordan Henderson is taking good care of Jude Bellingham in the England camp amid Liverpool 's interest in the teenage sensation.
Bellingham is reportedly Jurgen Klopp 's top transfer target and his stock is only rising thanks to his performances at the World Cup in Qatar. The 19-year-old midfielder shone during the Three Lions' opening 6-2 victory over Iran, in which he scored his first England goal, and is expected to leave Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season.
Tipped to cost a whopping £130million next summer, Klopp remains keen on signing Bellingham and will be pleased to hear how Liverpool captain Henderson has been 'looking after' his international and potential club teammate in Qatar.
"He looks after Jude like there is no tomorrow," England defender Conor Coady recently revealed on Lions Den. "Jude is a young lad, sometimes we forget that because he is so mature and a fantastic footballer."
Henderson still gives Bellingham his fair share of banter, though, with the former Birmingham City starlet having the Three Lions camp in stitches after letting slip that his mum still makes his bed. "He said something the other day about his mum making his bed, no word of a lie," Coady laughed.
"We are talking about Jude Bellingham here, one of the best players in the world, and Hendo sat up at dinner and went 'What?' and Jude went 'Yeah, my mum makes my bed'. So Hendo is battering him. I would say someone like Henderson and [Kyle] Walker set the example."
Coady's behind-the-scenes tales suggest that Bellingham would have a close pal at Anfield if he were to make the move - although he won't be making a decision on his future at club level for a while yet. "In all honesty, I'm not thinking about it. I know you're going to be angry because you can't get a headline," the Dortmund vice-captain told Sky Sports in October.
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"I'm focused completely on Borussia Dortmund. I've not even started thinking about next season or next summer - I'm not even thinking about the World Cup."
One thing is for certain; whoever wins the race for Bellignham's signature will have to be pay a pretty penny. According to The Mail, Liverpool will be forced to shell out Dortmund's asking price of £130m and they face competition from the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid.
Klopp and co will also need to convince the Birmingham-born ace that Merseyside is the right next step for him to continue his meteoric rise. A strong second half of the season would boost Liverpool's chances of signing Bellingham, and so will his budding relationship with Henderson.
