Steve Nicol has warned Liverpool that signing Jude Bellingham could harm, rather than benefit, his former club.
The Merseysiders have been heavily linked with £129 million sensation Borussia Dortmund (according to The Times (via the Daily Mail), and are reportedly in a three-horse race with Real Madrid and the Manchester City for his signature (according to Florian Plettenberg, via Empire of the Kop) in the summer transfer window.
“Bellingham, obviously, was amazing. But you wonder, the way he plays the game, does that suit Liverpool better? the Reds legend told ESPN (via The Boot Room).
“Liverpool at their best with Klopp, I’ve said it many times, having three guys in the middle of the park who just work and work. Although they are talented players, their job is to get the ball to the front three.
“That’s not Bellingham’s game. He would take that away from Liverpool (if they signed him).”
The Reds enjoyed their best period of success under Jurgen Klopp with a midfield combination usually made up of Gini Wijnaldum, Jordan Henderson and Fabinho.
MORE: Jurgen Klopp starts against Man City, 18, who beat him in training: Liverpool predicted XI
It’s worth noting that the addition of Thiago Alcántara represented a big change away from the industry-heavy nature of the midfield three prior to his departure from Bayern Munich.
Similarly, the potentially club-record signing of Darwin Núñez for £64m (which will rise to £85m once all add-ons are activated), represented a significant change for the forward three with the Reds assuming a No. 9 comparatively more committed to driving towards goal and scoring chances than Liverpool’s link star Bobby Firmino.
Only time will tell if it was a risk not worth taking for Klopp’s men, assuming they can beat their rivals and complete a deal for Europe’s hottest talent.
