Ferdinand makes Liverpool claim over Bellingham chase and identifies Man Utd transfer issue

Rio Ferdinand claims Liverpool would have had “a chance” of signing Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham if they hadn’t pulled out of the race.

Widespread reports last week revealed that the Reds with the England international proving too expensive.

Rather than spending north of £130m on one player, Jurgen Klopp and his recruitment team have decided to use the money for a proper rebuild of the squad at Anfield.

Liverpool boss Klopp said on Friday that the Reds have to be realistic about “what you can do” in the summer and compared their interest in Bellingham to a child asking for a Ferrari for Christmas.

Klopp said: “There’s nothing to say about it to be honest. If we don’t speak about players we sign or not, why would we now speak about this kind of speculation and this kind of news? It’s really nothing to say about.

“It’s not about Jude Bellingham my answer now – why do we constantly talk about things we theoretically can’t have? We cannot have six players in the summer for £100m [each], for example, everybody would say that’s clear.

“You have to realise what you can do and then work with that. How much money do we have available and then work with that.

“We are not children. Ask a five-year-old what they want for Christmas and they say a Ferrari, you wouldn’t say that’s a good idea, it’s too expensive and you cannot drive it.

“It’s what can you do and then you do it, and work with that. It’s always how I’ve worked. Whatever we need and what we want, we try absolutely everything to get it. You have to accept that this or that is not possible for us. We’ll step aside and do different stuff.”

But former Manchester United defender Ferdinand reckons Liverpool would’ve had “a chance” of buying Bellingham if they could’ve come up with the cash.

Ferdinand said on BT Sport: “Liverpool have ruled themselves out now, (but) I think if they said they would have liked him, there was still a chance he may have gone to Liverpool.

“Just because he believes in himself and would back himself to be the catalyst to get them back up again, which then amplifies his character and his stardust.

“That maybe is something that would have excited him. Man United might offer that, but the problem is that United’s priority is a centre-forward and that’s very secondary.