Jurgen Klopp has been given a ringing endorsement on Jude Bellingham's talent by the youngster's former Bundesliga rival David Alaba.
The Real Madrid defender came up against teenager Bellingham during his time at Bayern Munich, with Alaba firmly believing Borussia Dortmund have "one of the greatest midfield talents in the world" on their hands. Bellingham has been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool with Klopp a keen admirer of the England international.
Liverpool's midfield has been a cause for concern over their shaky start to this campaign, with the late addition of Arthur Melo on loan doing little to quell fans' lust for fresh legs. Many feel Klopp is biding his time before making a mega-money move for Bellingham next summer, and Alaba has picked out three qualities that set the Dortmund star apart from the rest.
" As for Bellingham as a player, I can say that he is one of the greatest midfield talents in the world," Alaba told Welt . "And that at a young age! At just 19, he leads the team, doesn't hide and already decides games with his style of play."
Bellingham has been in impressive form for Dortmund already this season, scoring in last week's Champions League victory over FC Copenhagen - his second goal in eight appearances so far. His maturity saw him elected as Dortmund's third captain during the summer, behind experienced duo Mats Hummels and Marco Reus, while he has also been tipped to be a future England captain.
Liverpool look certain to freshen up their midfield options within the next 12 months, with the likes of Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Thiago Alcantara all over 30, while the contracts of Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain expire at the end of the season.
The addition of Arthur will provide some much-needed back-up to Klopp's first XI, with Liverpool having an option to buy the Juventus star at the end of his one-season loan spell should they wish. However, ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher feels Arthur is just a stop gap until they can get the man they really want.
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"I don't think Arthur is the answer to what Liverpool will need in the next three or four years; they need a younger, more energetic kind of player," Carragher told Sky Sports. "But I think Arthur is in just to fill a space, that is why Liverpool have bought him late and on loan.
"It smacks a little bit of what Liverpool did 18 months ago when they had lots of centre-backs injured and they didn't buy anyone but brought in players on loan to have a look at them. Liverpool didn't buy those players and went on to sign Ibrahima Konate in the summer.
"The actual midfield player they want is not available right now, so I think bringing someone in on loan is sensible."
Addressing the links with the Dortmund prodigy earlier in the window, Carragher told Football Daily: "Well I think the one everyone talks about is Jude Bellingham and I don't think it's just his ability, I think it's his age and the fact if you got him, spent big money on him, he would hopefully be at your club.
"It's not just Liverpool, I'm sure Man City, Man United are looking at him, all the other top clubs, when you're buying him you're thinking we could have a player for the next 10 or 12 years, I think that's the thinking.
"His ability is really good and it's almost the potential of what he could become, could he become like Kevin de Bruyne is now basically - which is for me - the best player in the Premier League, you look at him in that midfield position and you just think wow.
"Maybe Man City are thinking he could replace De Bruyne or Liverpool could bring him in and he can add something or revolutionise Man United's midfield. I think he's the one that stands out for everybody, I think there will be an auction next summer and I hope Liverpool win it, fingers crossed."
