Former Liverpool star Steve McManaman has told his old club who he’d sign if it was his choice - and offered some advice for Jude Bellingham.
The Reds have been linked with the Borussia Dortmund midfielder ever since last summer, as the teenager looks set to become one of the next great talents in Europe.
Manchester City have also been linked with signing Bellingham, who moved to Dortmund from Birmingham City in a £25million deal in 2020.
Recent rumours have suggested that Bellingham is more likely to remain with the Bundesliga club this summer, despite continued links with Liverpool.
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McManaman reckons that staying at Dortmund for at least another year would not impact Liverpool’s chances of signing the talented midfielder.
“Regarding the rumours that Jude is set to stay in Germany next season, Borussia Dortmund only need to sell one player this season and that’s expected to be Erling Haaland,” McManaman told Horseracing.net .
“They don’t need to sell anyone else.
“Jude would play every game for Borussia Dortmund, which he wouldn’t for Liverpool or Manchester City.
“You can understand why he’s going to stay if he does end up staying this summer.
“He will keep on improving as he will be playing every game and playing in European competition. He’s only a baby.
“There’s plenty of time for him to move clubs if he does want to move clubs in the future.
“I don’t think him staying at Dortmund this summer will jeopardise Liverpool or Manchester City’s chances of signing him down the line.
“At this moment in time, they’re the two best teams in Europe, they’re incredibly strong and the competition for places is madness.
“I don’t think Jude spending another season in Germany will hinder either side.”
McManaman went on to argue which player he would sign if it was his choice, naming Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe as his choice.
The former Red then said which position on the pitch he feels that Liverpool need to strengthen the most this summer.
“If I could sign anybody I would sign [Kylian] Mbappe,” McManaman added.
“Even though he’s going to cost too much. I thought he was brilliant at Monaco and then he went to Paris and has been great.
“Cristiano [Ronaldo] and [Lionel] Messi are coming to the end and Mbappe has been the one who has been standing up this year. He’s the real superstar.
“And then it’d be somebody like Erling Haaland - a centre-forward who would score you a load of goals.
“But with this money and how much you would want, it just sets the dressing room on fire. For everyone else, you’d have to pay them.
“If you look at Liverpool’s setup at the minute, if they needed strengthening it would be with a different type of midfielder to what they have now. It would probably be one of the big hitters if they could afford it.”
