Despite the summer transfer window closing nearly three weeks ago, Jude Bellingham’s name continues to come up around Liverpool’s future business.
The Reds were reportedly interested in bringing the midfielder to Anfield throughout the window, but Borussia Dortmund kept them - and other potential suitors - at bay with a hefty £100million price tag. However, a disappointing start to the season, stemming from a host of injuries in midfield, has only strengthened speculation that Jurgen Klopp will move for the teenager again next year.
That means talk of Bellingham’s future, whether that be in Germany or back in England, will continue for as long as the 19-year-old continues to develop into one of the best all-round midfielders in Europe - and he shows no signs of slowing down. There’s been plenty of discussion already from all parties, and here’s some of what Bellingham, Klopp and others have said.
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Jude Bellingham
The midfielder scored in Dortmund’s Champions League clash against Manchester City last week, and speaking before the game, the midfielder praised his current club for the work they’ve put in and admitted it would be ‘disrespectful’ to look into any future moves away at this point.
"The club have done loads for me and made me feel very welcome since I first came and gave me the opportunities to develop even further,” Bellingham said. “To look past that and into the future would be disrespectful. It's not something I am thinking about, to be honest."
And speaking back in May to Ruhr Nachrichten BVB (via 90 min), the midfielder said: "I have my destiny in my hands. I know that if I try hard and trust the people around me, I can move forward. I came from England as a young talent. There was not much pressure. The first season went well. There were also matches where I sat on the bench and sometimes I did not play at all.
"I think my development this year has meant that I have played a bigger role in every game except two. I am very grateful to Dortmund for the way they have nurtured my talent. I think a lot of the credit goes to the coaching staff and the staff who keep the noise around me. In this way, I can only focus on winning matches, because that’s what I’m here for."
Jurgen Klopp
The Liverpool boss has been quizzed all summer about midfielders, but made clear in July they were unlikely to buy one - although he hinted that the ‘only problem’ with Bellingham is that he was unavailable.
"No [we're not looking to buy a midfielder], I can say that," Klopp insisted. "I don’t think something will happen in midfield, but you never know. If somebody comes to you and says ‘I want to go...' Nobody came to me yet, but if that happens then we have to talk [about] new [players]. But if the situation stays like it is, then tell me why?
“We can go through it. Where do you want to start? So, Fabinho, Henderson, Thiago, Milner, Keita, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Fabio Carvalho, Oxlade-Chamberlain. Now you tell me what kind of player are we missing? One who is offensive, 1.95m and arrives into the box to head balls in? OK, apart from that!
On Bellingham interest, Klopp added: "He’s not on the market, so that’s the first problem with that player. Well, the only problem with that player!”
Jordan Henderson
The Reds midfielder reserved high praise for his England teammate in March.
"I don’t like speaking too highly of players, especially when they’re such a young age because everybody else seems to do that pretty quickly. But I’ve been very impressed," Henderson told SPORTbible.
"I like the way he plays. I like his personality, which is the most important thing. I like the way he conducts himself. I’ve got nothing but good things to say about him. He’s a great lad, a fantastic player and I’m sure he’ll go from strength to strength as he gets older and matures. When I watch him, he plays with such maturity even now. The sky is the limit for him really."
Florian Plettenberg
The Sky Sports Germany reporter hinted this week that Reds fans could be seeing Bellingham next season - although it might not necessarily be in the red of Liverpool: "He is an upcoming superstar player and I am totally convinced he will leave Dortmund in 2023. Maybe to Liverpool, maybe to Manchester United. I think these are two teams who can have very good chances to get him."
Rio Ferdinand
Speaking after Bellingham scored at the Etihad last week, former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand suggested the midfielder may already have outgrown the Bundesliga outfit.
"I think he’s even sitting there like without being too arrogant but thinking ‘I’ve probably outgrown Borussia Dortmund already’ I think he’ll be sitting there saying that with all due respect,” Ferdinand said.
"Thinking I’m a year behind when I should’ve left because he’s got that self belief that you need to take you to them heights."
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