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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
John Aldridge

There is one club Liverpool cannot let Jude Bellingham join and I will feel sick if FSG allow it

I debated in one of my recent columns how Liverpool supporters would react if the club were to miss out on signing Jude Bellingham this summer.

I said things would go sour for FSG if Bellingham isn't brought to the club, and the point still stands now that we have reportedly cooled interest in the player.

Sometimes with these high-profile transfers, it can become somewhat of a poker game and I’m hoping that’s what this is. I’ve seen players force through moves in the past and it could happen with Bellingham if he really wants to go to Liverpool.

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The finances involved in bringing Bellingham to Anfield appears to be the sticking point as far as getting a deal over the line, but there is an obvious solution staring John Henry in the face. If Jurgen puts Trent in midfield, you’re saving money on buying an extra midfield player for £70million or so. Imagine a midfield with Bellingham and Trent, with Fabinho beside them: that would take some stopping. If Liverpool want him that badly, that has to be an option.

If Trent was to move into midfield, you can go and get Bellingham. A large percentage of Liverpool fans want to see Bellingham at the club and for us to just let him go over money, when we are one of the biggest clubs in the world, doesn’t look good.

FSG have been good owners, but they will know they are under pressure now. I want them to do the right thing for the club and themselves. If we have decided not to go and get the player, that doesn't change the fact a number of clubs will be queuing up for his services. It would be horrendous to see him go to Manchester City. If he goes there, and is linking up with Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne, they will be formidable.

The owners must realise they will be in for a rough ride if that happens. If they don’t sign Bellingham, they are making a rod for their own back. It’s not like we’re paupers. Sometimes you have to keep up with the Joneses - in this case City, Chelsea, Manchester United and Newcastle - because they can afford Bellingham. If they can, we have to be able to. If Jurgen doesn’t want him, that’s OK and that is Jurgen’s call. But if he does, and after all he has done for the club, the owners have to make it happen.

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