Legendary former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has claimed that Jude Bellingham is one of the best midfielders in the world right now.
The 41-year-old was asked to name his top five during an interview with Rio Ferdinand via Football Daily. Without hesitation, Gerrard raves about the midfielder who Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing.
“I love Jude Bellingham,” he said. “Absolutely loving him.”
As the current manager of Aston Villa, it may be inadvisable for Stevie to publicly laud a player so tied to Birmingham City. Jude is simply that good though. Let’s hope Liverpool feel as strongly as Gerrard and put an offer in this summer.
Mutual respect between midfield maestros
Gerrard isn’t the only man with Liverpool connections to laud the exceptional talent that is Bellingham.
During the March international break, current captain Jordan Henderson praised the 18-year-old’s uncanny maturity.
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And it seems the feeling from Bellingham is mutual, at least towards Gerrard anyway. When asked during a Q&A with the England YouTube channel which England player past or present he would swap shirts with, Bellingham chose Stevie G.
Gerrard is rumoured to be the leading candidate to succeed Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool. Should the reports of The Reds interest in Bellingham from the likes of The Mirror come to fruition, the two could potentially link up at Anfield in the future.
Liverpool forced to wait for Bellingham
Links to Bellingham have run a little cold as the summer transfer window approaches. There were even reports that Borussia Dortmund wouldn’t sanction a deal until next summer (Sport Bild).
They have since confirmed that Erling Haaland will be joining Manchester City next season. It seems unlikely that the German club will allow their two gems to leave in the same window.
Liverpool then, may be forced to wait in their attempts to secure the England international. However, we think they should use the money they will earn from their Champions League run to test Dortmund’s resolve.
Gerrard won’t be the only one with Bellingham at the top of such a list at the moment. It’s feasible that he’s the number one name on Liverpool’s list of midfield targets too.