Phil Thompson has urged Liverpool to sign Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham next summer.
However, the Reds legend has acknowledged the Borussia Dortmund duo will be at the centre of a bidding war between Europe’s leading clubs, but still wants his former side to be in the running.
Haaland has been tipped to leave Dortmund at the end of the current campaign, the 21-year-old striker has a clause in his contract allowing him to leave the Bundesliga side for a reported £68m in the summer.
The Norwegian has been in sensational form this season, scoring a remarkable 19 goals in 16 appearances. Real Madrid, Manchester City and Chelsea have all been linked with the Dortmund star.
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Meanwhile, despite only being 18 years of age Bellingham has already established himself as one of the continent's brightest young midfielders, and a mainstay of Dortmund’s side.
With mere days until the January transfer window opens Thompson believes bringing a midfielder to the club may be the only signing the Reds make next month.
"If it was me, things are going well, but we did have issues in centre-mid with the boys," he told Express Sport.
"Maybe somebody in that area, because that's where the energy levels come from with our team. So that."
However, the former Reds defender revealed he would like Liverpool to go all out to sign the aforementioned Dortmund stars next summer.
He added: “I would like to think we would sort of save all our money and hopefully for a big signing in the summer.
"I would think up front, I'd think you'd need more backup.
"I think that's going to be a big area where we sort of need to make sure.
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"And I'd like to think our hat is going to be in the ring for some of the big players that are going to be about.
"Haaland is one, even Bellingham, who I think is going to be a star.
"These players, I just want us to be asking questions, we need to be in there, and hopefully we are saving our money for a big one."
