Graeme Souness has admitted Liverpool 'would do well' to sign Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund in the summer.
Liverpool are likely to face stiff competition for one of the most-sought after players in the world with the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea all said to be also chasing his signature.
It is very unlikely Bellingham will remain at Dortmund beyond the summer and is well known that Reds boss Jurgen Klopp would like to bring in the 19-year-old to bolster his midfield.
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And Liverpool legend Souness was asked on the No Tippy Tappy Football Podcast just how important a signing Bellingham would be for Klopp's side.
"I think all the big guns are after him and I think Liverpool would do well to sign him," Souness said. "I think they will have stiff opposition.
"The way football works today if Real Madrid come after you you generally end up there. He’s a player, I like him very much, but I just think there are more goals in James Maddison, and I like James Maddison."
The Reds have been given a potential boost in their pursuit of Bellingham after reports from Spain suggested Real Madrid will refuse to pay £130m for the teenager if that is how much Dortmund want.
Spanish news outlet Sport wrote : "In England they take it for granted that Liverpool have him tied up for 100m euros, but Real Madrid believes that this is not the case and they trust that it is the player who decides where he wants to end up. The footballer's entourage assures that he wants to play with the Whites, but, as in the case of Liverpool's entourage, there is no confirmation of the optimism that both teams have to take him away. What is clear is that Madrid will not reach the 150m (euros) that Borussia could ask."
Earlier this week it was reported that the Bellingham's representatives will demand 'concrete offers' before he makes a decision on his future.
Hans-Joachim Watzke, Dortmund's CEO, recently said: "We don't have to pretend that the issue is not on the table. If the really big clubs are involved , then we can't afford to have a financial fight."
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