Liverpool supporters hoping for some early international break encouragement after a dismal few weeks were left somewhat confused on Monday morning.
There was the excitement of seeing Trent Alexander-Arnold once again being pally with Jude Bellingham, prompting more suggestions the right-back is using his persuasive powers to tempt the Borussia Dortmund midfielder into an Anfield move this summer.
And then there was the claim Jurgen Klopp's side now face significant barriers if they want to build a new-look engine room around the 19-year-old.
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The reality, though, is nothing has changed in the saga that has enthralled Reds supporters for the best part of a year. The two England colleagues remain chums. And Liverpool face extremely stiff competition if they want take Bellingham from Germany in the coming months.
What the latest developments do highlight, though, is the difficult decision Klopp and his recruitment team now face as they look to address a shortcoming that has become increasingly apparent throughout a tortuous campaign.
Bellingham is just one of several midfielders Liverpool are actively interested in signing - Matheus Nunes of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Mason Mount of Chelsea are two others - but, with variables such as budget and Champions League qualification yet to be determined, the list of possible targets is lengthier than usual.
That is also born out of necessity with Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain departing at the end of the season when their contracts expire, James Milner at present set to follow suit, Jordan Henderson approaching the veteran stage of his career and clear concerns over the long-term form of Fabinho.
Liverpool don't just need one midfielder. They probably need three, even allowing for the unexpected emergence of 18-year-old Stefan Bajcetic this season. The teenager's recent season-ending injury highlights why Klopp earlier this month declared the progress of both Bajcetic and Harvey Elliott makes no difference to what is required in the transfer market this summer.
That Real Madrid and Manchester City are front-runners for Bellingham's signature is nothing new. They offer greater guarantees than Liverpool in terms of Champions League football next season and have bigger financial clout to meet whatever price Dortmund ultimately set. Manchester United have arrived late to the party but it would be a major surprise if the player entertains an Old Trafford switch this summer.
Liverpool have shown little appetite under Fenway Sports Group of being dragged into a bidding war and have instead relied on Klopp selling an overall vision to tempt players into signing. It worked with Virgil van Dijk in 2017, who was wanted by a host of suitors.
There is, of course, absolutely no pressing reason for Dortmund to sell Bellingham this summer, nor for the player to leave. Bellingham is settled in Germany, has progressed considerably at a club that has a tradition of bringing through top talent, is competing for major honours and, only turning 20 in June, still has plenty of time to ply his trade elsewhere.
Bellingham and Dortmund can afford to wait for another year. Liverpool, though, cannot. And there's the rub.
Do the Reds go all in for a player who could cost in excess of £100million and spend most of their budget on one undoubtedly top quality target, or do they take a more pragmatic view and spread the funds around to sign several midfielders who fit a similar profile?
Unless Fenway Sports Group's pursuit of outside investment proves successful in the near future to give Liverpool's transfer funds a sizeable cash injection, that is the question with which the Reds are now surely grappling.
Liverpool need homegrown players. Bellingham ticks that box, too. But he isn't the only one, hence the keen eye on Mount's contract situation at Chelsea.
FSG demonstrated in the past with Van Dijk and Alisson they are willing to sanction big-money transfers to solve a problem in a key position. That, though, required just one player. The Reds' midfield now needs several answers.
Liverpool want to sign Bellingham and the pursuit is far from over. However, they won't throw everything at Dortmund for the player. As things stand, they simply cannot afford to - and not just in terms of finance.
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