Jude Bellingham has previously been vocal about his admiration for Steven Gerrard as he's linked with a move to Liverpool.

The England midfielder headed to Borussia Dortmund last summer having impressed in the Championship with Birmingham City.

He has continued to go from strength to strength, putting in man of the match performances in the Champions League.

Suitors are circling as they plan to test Dortmund's resolve.

The German side have shown a willingness to cash in on players for huge profits if the price is right, as they've done with Jadon Sancho.

Liverpool are among those keen to bring Bellingham back to English shores, but it would likely take a club-record bid to convince Dortmund to sell.

The Reds could have an added pull knowing that the teenager idolised Gerrard as a kid.

The former Liverpool skipper was a midfield maestro during his playing days, often leading from the front at Anfield.

Bellingham confessed his admiration for the 41-year-old in an FA England video.

“Stevie G, easily to be fair. In fact, no it is not easy, I think him or Rooney definitely close,” he replied when asked the one player he'd swap shirts with.

“But I think I would go Gerrard, though. The No.8, similar position to me, so yeah, I would probably go with him.”

Bellingham has been in England squads with Jordan Henderson, who has seen first hand how impressive a player he is.

The Reds skipper, who played alongside Gerrard as a youngster, has not held back in his admiration for the Dortmund star.

"Jude is a fantastic player," said Henderson.

"Even at such a young age, he shows fantastic maturity on and off the field. You can see how hungry he is to be a top player and has all the attributes to do that.

"I tried to help as much as I could but, to be honest, he is a top player who has shown that in the big games for Dortmund. I see him going from strength to strength all the time.

"I don't want to praise him too much and put too much pressure on him but he's got a very good head on his shoulders."

Liverpool opted not to spend big in the summer with Jurgen Klopp citing the club's financial constraints.

Were Bellingham to become available the Reds would no doubt be keen, but would face competition from the likes of Manchester United, who made moves to sign the teenager before he moved to Germany.