Liverpool could still sign top target Jude Bellingham even if they don’t qualify for next season’s Champions League.
That’s according to SportBILD journalist Christian Falk, anyway. Speaking to The Anfield Wrap yesterday, Falk claimed that whether or not Liverpool will play in the competition won’t be the deciding factor for Bellingham.
“It’s not an easy decision, but I think Liverpool is bigger than [missing out on] Champions League for one year,” he said. “I think that’s not a problem for him [Bellingham], it will be very important for him that Jurgen Klopp is staying, but it looks good [that Klopp will stay].
“If he stays and you don’t qualify for the Champions League, it’s not the point that Bellingham says no, but I think you’d better do!”
Champions League still the aim for Liverpool
Right then, pressure off for the season then! We can all relax now, safe in the knowledge that whatever happens, Bellingham won’t be put off.
Obviously, that won’t be the case. But still, this sounds like good news for Liverpool.
That isn’t to say that Champions League football won’t have any affect on this particular transfer, though. It may not make a difference to Bellingham, but it could well make a big difference to Liverpool’s accounts.
We know how important qualifying for the competition is to FSG. As they expect the club to be run self-sustainably, the funds generated by finishing in the top four are crucial.
With Bellingham expected to cost around, or even over £100m, every bit of income needs to be utilised. As Kieran Trippier recently pointed out, the 19-year-old is a ‘world-class’ talent. That doesn’t come cheap.
Without the added boost of playing in Europe’s top tournament, Liverpool are likely to be further outgunned by the likes of Manchester City.
As a result, it’s still very much the aim to make it seven straight top four finishes for the Reds.
The title may be out of reach, but there’s still every chance that Liverpool can rescue the season to that degree. With Premier League football set to resume in just over two weeks time, the Reds are currently in sixth place. Seven points off Tottenham and with a game in hand, there’s plenty still to play for.