England manager Gareth Southgate has handed Liverpool a boost in their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham.
The 18-year-old has become one of the brightest prospects in world football during his spell in Germany, leading to him being linked with some of the top clubs in European football. Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool are said to be keen on signing him, and it appears Bellingham's England boss Southgate would back the move.
It comes as Manchester City face a defensive crisis ahead of their title showdown with Liverpool on April 10. And forgotten Liverpool man Sepp van den Berg, who wants "to be better than Virgil van Dijk", appears set to be sent out for a third loan move.
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Van den Berg set for third loan
Liverpool defender Sepp van den Berg could be sent out for a third loan spell with Championship side Preston North End.
The Dutchman joined the Lilywhites in the January transfer window last year, before extending his stay in Lancashire by a further 12 months last summer. Van den Berg, who previously claimed he wants to "become even better than Virgil van Dijk", could now seal a third loan agreement with the Deepdale outfit ahead of next season.
While the clubs have been in talks over the move, Preston manager Ryan Lowe has suggested the decision will ultimately be made by the player.
City suffer defensive crisis
Liverpool have been handed a boost ahead of the Premier League title run-in with Manchester City facing a potential defensive crisis.
Pep Guardiola's side currently have a narrow one-point advantage over the Reds, who they face at the Etihad Stadium on April 10. But after John Stones was forced to withdraw from England duty through injury, Guardiola is facing a mounting crisis.
He has already been without Ruben Dias since March 1, leaving just Aymeric Laporte and Nathan Ake as the club's only fit central defensive options.
Bellingham transfer boost
Gareth Southgate has backed Jude Bellingham to make a switch to the Premier League in a huge transfer boost to Liverpool.
The Reds have been strongly linked with the Borussia Dortmund midfielder, who has shone for club and country this season. And England manager Southgate has made a subtle comment that will offer the Reds encouragement in their pursuit of the midfielder – and could hint at a future move to the Premier League for the youngster.
