Liverpool will be a "title-contending team" once again if they sign Mason Mount and Jude Bellingham in the summer, according to Arsenal legend Paul Merson.
Jurgen Klopp's side are enduring a tough campaign. The Community Shield winners failed to go far in the Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup. They are also sixth in the Premier League - seven points behind Tottenham in fourth with two games in hand.
Liverpool are expected to revamp their squad in the summer, with Klopp's midfield a particular talking point. Merson believes the Reds will be competitive again if they can bring in long-term target Bellingham, 19, and Chelsea talent Mount, 24, in the next window.
"Whoever gets Mason Mount has got the biggest result ever," Merson told Sky Sports, with a number of clubs said to be interested. "The kid can play. It's bad business by Chelsea - they should give him what he's asking for. You don't offload your best players.
"There are so many players that need to get shipped out of this Chelsea squad before Mount. When you hear whispers of the teams that want to buy him that tells you everything you need to know."
Mount's existing deal expires in June 2024. Chelsea could be forced to sell the England international if they fail to agree a contract extension before this summer, with Manchester United, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain all thought to be interested.
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Mount is regarded as one of the best playmakers in the Premier League. He has won the Club World Cup, the European Super Cup and the Champions League during his time at Stamford Bridge, providing the winning assist in the 2021 final of the latter competition.
Chelsea's two-time Player of the Year is also a regular at international level. Mount has won 36 senior caps for England and was part of the squad that reached the final of Euro 2020. He also represented his country at the recent World Cup in Qatar.
Merson went on to say, "If Liverpool go and get Mount and then Jude Bellingham, who could also go to Liverpool, you've got a title-contending team. Why would you want to chance that? Why would you make them stronger?
"I'm a huge fan of Mount, he's a top-class player. He's not playing at the moment because of his contract situation. With the size of the squad, they aren't going to select a player who won't sign a new contract."
In terms of Bellingham, both Manchester clubs and Real Madrid are after the teenager's signature. Bellingham is arguably the most exciting young footballer in Europe after impressing for England in Qatar and for Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.
Bellingham has already made 168 club appearances and won 22 senior caps for his country. The former Birmingham City star has been linked with Liverpool for a while, but Klopp's side may struggle to afford him due to a potential bidding war.
