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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Sean Bradbury & Stephen Killen

Gary Neville and Roy Keane explain exactly why Liverpool want 'perfect' Jude Bellingham

Jude Bellingham is a wanted man with Liverpool and a host of other top European clubs believed to be chasing his signature.

The England international, 19, has been starring for his country at the World Cup so far. He scored in the opening 6-2 win against Iran and was again named in the starting line-up this evening for the clash with USA.

Speaking ahead of tonight's game, ITV pundits Gary Neville and Roy Keane were purring over the midfielder - explaining exactly why so many sides are interested in him.

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Neville said: " I think we should get carried away because these lads are a different breed. I think he would’ve had a protective ring around him 20 years ago, 15 years ago by clubs, managers, the FA. Michael Owen didn’t know to do interviews - now he [Bellingham] just stands up, they’re like leaders at 19.

"He’s got everything, 6ft1, run forward, take the ball to his feet, understands the game, massive energy, almost like the perfect midfield player. If you’re making the perfect midfielder, you’d almost say that was him."

And Keane added: " He’s a better than the options that Gareth [Southgate] has got and we’ve seen that in the last few games, he’s more dynamic, can get forward. He scored there the other night, his goal record for his club is very very good.

"He’s a big strong boy, he’s mature, played 150 games, it looks natural to him. We could talk about him all day. You look at his clips, he looks like a footballer, he looks like he could play all sports, a talented boy.

"He’s got a great stage, 19 years of age, my goodness, he’s still a child, but his future, my goodness, if he keeps his feet on the ground...world class no doubt."

Addressing the future of Bellingham, Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke recently said: "I think as soon as Qatar is over [we] will have a general discussion about what he actually wants. With him, with his parents, with whom we have a very close relationship. And of course with his advisor.

"And then he should just tell us whether he wants to stay or whether he wants to leave. In both cases, we will have a very pleasant and reasonable discussion with each other. But we don't have to pretend that the issue is not on the table. If the really big clubs are involved, then we can't afford to have a fight financially."

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