Jurgen Klopp has admitted Liverpool have no choice but to “step aside” when it comes to certain transfer targets, as he was quizzed on the club’s pursuit of Jude Bellingham.
The Reds have been long-time admirers of Bellingham, and have been strongly linked with a summer move for the 19-year-old as they look to rebuild their midfield after a poor season.
However, reports this week claimed that Liverpool have pulled out of the race to sign the teenager, believing the size of the transfer fee required would prevent other key areas of the squad from being overhauled.
It’s believed it could now turn into a bidding war between Real Madrid and Manchester City, with Borussia Dortmund holding out for a fee in the region of £132million. Liverpool’s current transfer record is the £85m spent on Darwin Nunez last summer.
Asked in his press conference ahead of his side’s trip to face Leeds about the situation, Klopp avoided specifically discussing Bellingham but did send a warning to Liverpool supporters about the need to be realistic.
“I have nothing to say on that,” Klopp told reporters.
“It is not about Jude Bellingham, but I never understand why we talk about things we cannot have, theoretically. We cannot have six players in a summer, everyone for £100m. That is clear.
“You have to realise what you can do and then work with it. That is your job.
“We are not children. When you ask a five-year-old what they want for Christmas and they say, I don’t know, a Ferrari, you would say that is too expensive and you cannot drive it. If this kid then was really unhappy because he didn’t get a Ferrari, it would be a really sad life.
“You look what you can do, and you work with that. We try everything to get what we need and what we want, but there are moments where we have to accept and step aside.”
