04 March 2023 , 07:50
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Liverpool and England defender Trent Alexander-Arnold struggled to stifle a smile when asked about Reds-linked midfielder Jude Bellingham.
Borussia Dortmund starlet Bellingham has long been linked with a move away from the German side. Liverpool are among a number of clubs to be linked with the 19-year-old, who scored his first England goal at the 2022 World Cup, while Real Madrid and Manchester United have also been mentioned in connection with a move.
A move to Anfield might end up resting on whether Jurgen Klopp's team manage to claw their way into the top four by the end of the season. Bellingham has turned down advances from Champions League club s before, though, and some fans have been reading a lot into the Reds right-back's response to questions about his international team-mate.
"He's an incredible player, especially for his age," Alexander-Arnold told JOE. "I think, deep down, only he knows his ceiling."
"I think there isn't really one. He can achieve what he wants to. He's got everything he needs to go and do that.
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"He's one of those players that you just enjoy watching, enjoy seeing. The sky's the limit for him - he's an incredible player and an incredible person."
The interviewer then suggested Bellingham would be nice to have around the squad. At this point, Alexander-Arnold let out a laugh and said "I suppose, yeah".
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Jude Bellingham has been linked with a summer move away from Borussia Dortmund (Getty Images)
Bellingham is believed to be a big admirer of Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, so much so that the Reds' mixed results since the turn of the year haven't necessarily put him off a move. Liverpool suffered away league defeats against Brentford, Brighton and Wolves, as well as losing to Brighton in the FA Cup and suffering a 5-2 home hammering against Real Madrid in the Champions League round of 16.
Liverpool are in need of reinforcements in midfield, with Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain both expected to leave in the summer when their contracts expire. Manchester United have also been linked with Bellingham, though, and former Red Devils defender Rio Ferdinand has made the case for the youngster choosing Old Trafford over Anfield.
"If you put the two teams on a graph, Manchester United are going in one direction and Liverpool have stagnated," Ferdinand told BBC Radio 5 Live. "I wouldn't say Liverpool are in decline, but other teams are catching them up and maybe going beyond them.
"If I'm a player, say Jude Bellingham or Declan Rice - two of the most in-demand English midfielders that may get moves this summer - and someone says, 'Manchester United or Liverpool, where are you going?', forget my Manchester United ties, I have to go with United right now.”