Liverpool have given up on the race for Jude Bellingham - for now - because of manager Jurgen Klopp’s painful realisation his squad will require more extensive surgery than anticipated this summer.
The Anfield club’s impending absence from next season’s Champions League has brought home the stark truth that owners FSG can not afford to spend £130m on the young Dortmund midfielder, AND make the three or four further signings Klopp has identified.
While the Reds boss is a huge admirer of Bellingham, he believes his biggest priority this summer is to land a top class holding midfielder to replace Fabinho, whose dramatic collapse this season has been at the heart of Liverpool ’s demise.