Jude Bellingham decision ramps Liverpool summer…

Jude Bellingham decision ramps Liverpool summer pressure up as Steven Gerrard makes admission

As the Reds end their immediate interest in Jude Bellingham, it's time for your Liverpool FC morning headlines on Wednesday, April 12.

FSG only have one card to play at Liverpool after giving up on Jude Bellingham

Last summer, Liverpool pinpointed Aurelien Tchouameni as the player to accelerate the evolution of their midfield. But when the Frenchman instead opted to join Real Madrid, the Reds chose not to look elsewhere - it was either the right signing or none.

This summer, Liverpool pinpointed Jude Bellingham as the player to accelerate the evolution of their midfield. Now, though, the Reds have chosen to step away from the pursuit - instead of the right signing, they intend to make several others.

Matters, of course, are rarely quite so black and white. But the reversal of approach taken by Jurgen Klopp and the Liverpool recruitment team will not have passed unnoticed by supporters furiously debating the decision to essentially give up on any attempt to prise Bellingham away from Borussia Dortmund in the forthcoming transfer window.

Costing in excess of £100million, the 19-year-old England international was never going to be cheap. However, the general consensus - influenced by the vibe emanating from Liverpool and the player himself - was that the Reds were in the box seat. Reports in Spain had as recently as last week suggested Real Madrid were already cooling their own interest as a consequence.

Technically, it might still be that Bellingham ends up at Anfield in the future. He has more than two years remaining on his deal, is still in the formative stages of what he hopes will be a long career, and neither he nor Dortmund are in any rush to part ways.

That, though, does nothing to solve an issue at Liverpool that has been festering ever since Tchouameni chose to head to the Bernabeu rather than Anfield almost 12 months ago.

Read the full view of Ian Doyle, our Chief Liverpool FC Writer, HERE.

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard speaks out on next step after turning down 'exciting opportunity'

Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard has revealed that he has turned down opportunities at club and international level since he was dismissed as Aston Villa manager.

The 42-year-old was relieved of his duties at Villa Park in October and replaced by Villarreal boss Unai Emery. Gerrard had made the move to the Premier League, for his first shot at managing in the English top-flight, after securing Scottish Premiership success with Glasgow Rangers.

Since leaving his role in the Midlands, the former Liverpool captain has been linked with numerous vacant posts including Leeds United, Southampton and even the Poland national team.

Gerrard started out in management at the Reds academy where he took charge of the U18s after a stint in the studio as a pundit following retirement. A conversation with Liverpool Academy chief, Alex Inglethorpe, changed the former midfielders' outlook post-playing career.

And current manager, Jurgen Klopp, offered him an opportunity to learn his trade away from the spotlight with the youngsters in Kirkby.

"They gave me an opportunity in the Premier League and it was a successful experience initially because we achieved the remit of guiding the team away from the bottom of the table to safety," said Gerrard about his decision to take the Villa job speaking in 'The Manager' magazine from the League Managers Association.

"I’ve had time to analyse and reflect thoroughly on the challenges of our second season. In football, you have to learn from your mistakes and take strength from your successes."

Read the full story HERE.

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