Liverpool have ‘two players’ working on Jude Bellingham transfer

Former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey has suggested that Jordan Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold may be actively trying to engineer a move to Anfield for Jude Bellingham, who he believes can skipper the Reds in the not-too-distant future. Bellingham has been heavily linked with the Merseyside giants over the last few years and is widely expected to leave Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season.

The 19-year-old has shone for England at the World Cup in recent weeks and has seemingly grown closer to Henderson and Alexander-Arnold during his time with the Three Lions in Qatar. Heskey believes that the Liverpool duo may be getting themselves into Bellingham’s good books with a view to convincing him to join them at Anfield next year ahead of Real Madrid or Manchester City, who have also been credited with a strong desire to snap him up.

“A player of Jude Bellingham’s stature and ability would benefit Liverpool if he joined next summer,” Heskey told Paddy Power. “It’s fair to say that that’s a position that Liverpool needs to strengthen in, so he’d fit in perfectly.

“Whilst being away with England, you can see that Jude has struck up a relationship with Jordan Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold, so he’s got two people trying to get him to join Liverpool.  

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“Bellingham could walk into any team as he’ll make them better, wherever he goes, but he’d suit Liverpool best considering their ageing midfield. He’ll have a great opportunity at Liverpool where he could grow, learn under a brilliant manager, challenge for multiple silverware, and even become future Liverpool captain.”

Heskey went on to insist that Liverpool will need to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League to stand any chance of landing Bellingham in the summer, with a lack of Champions League football able to put the Reds on the back foot regarding a post-season move for his signature.

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“When you’re Liverpool Football Club, getting into the top four is always a must, so they will definitely be looking at that,” added Heskey.

“The reality is, they’ve made a really slow, sluggish start and they need to pick it up when they come back. They’ll definitely be looking at top four but that’s going to be a big ask.

“Liverpool can’t prioritise the Champions League over the Premier League and they’ll want to go as far as they can in that competition. If they prioritise the Champions League and disregard the Premier League, and then end up eighth and get knocked out, it’s not exactly a great look.”

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