Klopp Hails Dortmund Fast Rising Star, Says He’s ‘Exceptional’ Amid Liverpool Transfer Rumour

Jude Bellingham, who is a transfer target for Liverpool, has received praise from Jurgen Klopp for his “outstanding” World Cup performances.

In remarks that would undoubtedly raise eyebrows among Liverpool fans, Klopp addressed the notion that Bellingham’s performances for England in Qatar might have priced him out of a prospective move to Anfield. THEEAGLE is aware that Real Madrid and Manchester City are among the clubs vying for the services of the Borussia Dortmund star.

Klopp told reporters: “I don’t like to always talk about money when we talk about a player like Jude. I think everybody agrees he’s just exceptional. I imagine somebody who has no clue about football, or who didn’t watch it for a while, if you asked them ‘how old do you think Jude Bellingham is?’ nobody would get even close! They’d say ‘28, 29’ or whatever, because he’s that mature.

“He played an exceptional World Cup. Exceptional. He’s good at so many things and has to improve in so many other things, but if I had to describe him I would say that the things he can do already are difficult to learn, and the things has has to improve are easy to learn. That makes him a really good player!”

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The Liverpool boss also added, “I’m not saying anything new. I thought that for two or three years since he broke through at Dortmund. But I have no idea what [his World Cup performances] does for the money side of it. I just think that if you, from an English point of view, want to do him a favour, just don’t talk too much about money, don’t throw too many hurdles in his way. That would be really cool, wherever he ends up!”

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If Liverpool doesn’t make the Champions League for the upcoming season, would it be difficult to recruit players, including Bellingham? Klopp responded, “It’s very important for the club. We’re currently focusing on it. from the standpoint of transfer? In general, I believe we have a strong chance of qualifying. We are contenders for the following several years, if not 100% this year.

“And if you ask a player [to sign] and he says ‘well next year you are not in the Champions League, so I would rather go to another club’, I am not sure I would want this player any more, to be honest.

“I understand it, I want to be in the Champions League all the time, but for the moment we have two pathways still to qualify for next year, and as long as that’s the case I see ourselves as a proper contender.”

On Boxing Day, the Reds face Aston Villa at Villa Park in Premier League action.