Liverpool boss, Jurgen Klopp praises Jude Bellingham football qualities but reveals Liverpool aren't the only club interested in signing the English international

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has lavished praise on Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham.

The German has discussed the midfielder numerous times, and he is already well-known for his admiration of England's World Cup superstar.

Asked whether Bellingham’s World Cup performances could put him out of Anfield’s financial reach, Klopp replied: “I don’t like to talk about money when you talk about a player like him. Everyone can see he is just exceptional.

“If you mention to someone who has no clue about football: ‘How old do you think Jude Bellingham is?’ I don’t think anyone would get even close to his age. They would say 28 or 29 because he plays so mature.

However, Klopp's Liverpool have struggled this season, falling seven points behind fourth place before the start of the Premier League on Boxing Day.

The club also spent £64 million on Darwin Nunez in the summer, with that amount potentially increasing by another £20 million. Both of these factors could result in the club missing out on the Champions League and the money that comes with it.

“What can I say? I have thought that already for two or three years since he had his breakthrough at Dortmund. Everybody knew already but I have no idea what that means for the money side of it. I really think if we all want to do him a favour then we do not talk too much about money. I mean that from an England point of view. Do not throw any hurdles in his development.”

However, Klopp has dismissed this talk, insisting that he would not want to sign any player who would not join the club if they missed out on the top four.

"It is very important for the club and that is our main target now,” the Liverpool manager said. “It is important but, from a transfer perspective, generally we have a good chance to qualify for the Champions League. Will it happen this year? I don’t know. But 100 per cent we are one of the contenders for the next few years. 

"If you ask a player and he says: ‘Next year you are not in the Champions League and I would prefer to go to a football club who plays this year’, then I am not sure I would still want this player, to be honest.

“I understand it 100 per cent – I want to be in the Champions League all the time. For the moment we have two pathways still to qualify for the Champions League next year. As long as that is the case, I see ourselves as proper contenders for Champions League qualification.”