Klopp: 'Liverpool is not a child asking to buy a Ferrari'

Bellingham has been Liverpool's top target since about a year, when Klopp has repeatedly publicly praised the talent of the English midfielder. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jordan Henderson are said to have persuaded their juniors to move to Anfield, when they both attended the 2022 World Cup.

But earlier this week, about two months before the 2023 summer transfer window opened, British media simultaneously reported that Liverpool withdrew from the race to sign Bellingham. The transfer fee of $ 150 million along with wages, bonuses and commissions for the deal is too big for the Anfield team.

"We are not children," Klopp said on April 14 in a press conference before the match against Leeds in the 31st round of the Premier League, when asked about Bellingham. "You wouldn't ask five-year-olds what they wanted for Christmas, and if they said they wanted a Ferrari, you wouldn't say 'Oh, that's a good idea.' No, you'd say it's too expensive and they don't. can drive that Ferrari. If this kid spends the rest of his life sad because he didn't get a Ferrari, it's going to be a sad life."

According to the German coach, Liverpool will still pursue the goals the team needs, but will not spend beyond the club's ability. "Whatever we want, need, we try to get it. But sometimes you have to accept that there are things that are impossible with Liverpool. So let's stand aside and do the things we need to do. something else," he said.

After the poor 2022-2023 season, Liverpool plans to rebuild the squad in the next transfer window. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Anfield owner will bring in at least two midfielders, with those targeted being Youri Tielemans (Leicester), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Nicolo Barella (Inter) or the duo of Brighton, Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister. In contrast, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Roberto Firmino are likely to leave the club.

"It's not all about Bellingham," added Klopp. "I don't understand why we have to constantly talk about things that we can't theoretically have. Liverpool can't buy six players in the summer, with each player over $100 million. You have to realize what you are. can do and decide. Everything has to do with the budget and how you work with that money."

With Liverpool withdrawing, the race for Bellingham is still Man Utd, Man City and Real. According to Transfermarkt, the German star is currently the third most expensive player in the world with $133 million, just behind Erling Haaland (188) and Kylian Mbappe (200).

Bellingham joined Birmingham City when he was less than eight years old, and became the youngest player ever to play for the club's first team when he made his debut in September 2019, at 16 years and 38 days. In the 2019-2020 season, he scored four goals in 44 games, then joined Dortmund for $ 32.7 million in the summer of 2020, and became the most expensive 17-year-old player in history. The 19-year-old stood out at Dortmund last season with six goals and 14 assists in 44 games in all competitions. This season, Bellingham continues to sublimate with ten goals and seven assists in 37 games.

Bellingham has played for England U15, U16, U17 and U21 teams. Bellingham is the youngest player to attend the Euros with 17 years and 349 days, when he came on as a substitute for captain Harry Kane in the opening match of Euro 2021 against Croatia. By the 2022 World Cup, Bellingham became a key player next to Declan Rice, contributing one goal and one assist.