Any Liverpool fans who don’t believe in omens might want to start doing so - it could be what brings Jude Bellingham to Anfield.
The Borussia Dortmund midfielder has been linked with a move to Merseyside throughout the summer, and the closure of the window seems to have only intensified talk of a move at some point over the next 12 months. Liverpool’s midfield problems during the early part of the season have intensified calls for midfield reinforcements, with next summer expected to be a window of transition in that position.
Another outstanding performance in last night’s 3-3 draw against Germany at Wembley put Bellingham in the spotlight again, compelling Gareth Southgate to praise the teenager’s ‘top-level mentality’ after the result - another string to his bow, as far as Jurgen Klopp is concerned. But the 19-year-old’s contribution against Manchester City less than two weeks ago could be the latest in an intriguing trend of future Reds signings.
READ MORE: Jordan Henderson sends message to Jude Bellingham amid Liverpool transfer links
Despite eventually losing 2-1, the midfielder’s instinctive header gave Dortmund the lead at the Etihad during the second week of Champions League fixtures - a scenario not entirely unlike summer signing Fabio Carvalho, whose finish gave Fulham an early lead in the FA Cup fourth round back in February, before eventually losing 4-1. The teenager joined his new teammates at Anfield just months later after an agreement to pay Fulham around £7million, following the end of his contract this summer.
That trend - scoring against title rivals City before a move to Liverpool - applies also to Luis Diaz, whose brilliant solo run gave Porto a 14th-minute lead inside an empty Etihad back in October 2020. The Colombian was on Klopp’s radar for some time before they eventually signed him in January for an initial £37million, moving ahead of schedule after Tottenham showed their interest.
And going back even further, Monaco’s 3-1 win against City in March 2017 in the Champions League round-of-16 second-leg - a tie the French side would win on away goals after an aggregate 6-6 scoreline - saw a certain Fabinho fire home the second from 10-yards out. 14 months later he too was a Red, arriving at Anfield for around £43million just days after the Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid.
Liverpool have made a habit of signing players who score against Manchester City, whether that be coincidence or not, and Bellingham’s glancing header earlier this month could end up the latest in that unusual saga.
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