Rio Ferdinand believes Liverpool have just made Jude Bellingham's transfer decision for him

Rio Ferdinand has questioned whether Liverpool will be able to sign Jude Bellingham after their Champions League exit.

The Reds were beaten 1-0 by the Spanish giants in the second leg of their last-16 tie on Wednesday night. Karim Benzema scored the only goal of the game as Jurgen Klopp's went out 6-2 on aggregate to Madrid.

The next time the two clubs could do battle is in the transfer market. Both are interested in signing Borussia Dortmund and England midfielder Jude Bellingham.

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But Ferdinand believes, after the clash between the Champions League meetings between the pair, that Bellingham would not be interested in signing for Liverpool.

The ex-Manchester United told BT Sport: “I just think, if he watches that tonight, he's sitting there thinking: ‘If Real Madrid are in for me and Liverpool, there's only one place I can go’ – and they [Liverpool] don't finish in the Champions League as well maybe.

“As a player – nothing to do with my allegiances to United or Liverpool – you look at it cold and you go: ‘I see more trophies here [at Madrid]’.”

Having gone so close to winning an unprecedented quadruple last season, the Reds will end this season empty-handed. Their priority now is finishing inside the top four and qualifying for next season's Champions League.

They are currently sixth and six points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, who have played one game more. Liverpool return to action on Saturday, April 1 with a trip to defending champions Manchester City, who are battling Arsenal for the title.

Liverpool were beaten 1-0 in the second leg, losing 6-2 on aggregate to exit the Champions League.

Bellingham continues to be heavily linked with a move to Liverpool ahead of the summer transfer window. Jurgen Klopp and the Anfield hierarchy are well known to be admirers of the Borussia Dortmund midfielder.

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