Paul Merson says Jude Bellingham may still go to Liverpool even if they don’t make it to the Champions League

Paul Merson has rejected claims that Jude Bellingham will not move to Liverpool if they fail to qualify for the Champions League.

The Borussia Dortmund star’s contract expires in 2025, but several clubs, including Liverpool and Real Madrid, have been strongly linked to sign him this summer.

Earlier in the week, Rio Ferdinand suggested the 19-year-old could turn down the Reds after they disappointingly crashed out of the Champions League against the Spanish giants on Wednesday night.

Liverpool are currently sixth in the Premier League, six points off a place in the Champions League, and questions are beginning to arise of their ability to qualify for European competition, with last weekend’s loss to Bournemouth pushing them further back in the standings. rankings.

Ferdinand told BT Sport: “If Real Madrid choose me and Liverpool there is only one place I can go – and they [Liverpool] maybe not finish so well in the Champions League.’

Rio Ferdinand (pictured) had suggested Bellingham might not want to go to Anfield if they fail to qualify for the Champions League this season

But Merson disagrees that Bellingham might like the challenge of moving to Liverpool

“As a player – nothing to do with my loyalty to United or Liverpool – you look at it coldly and say, ‘I see more trophies here.’ [at Madrid]”.”

Reports suggest the 19-year-old could be available for around £127 million, with Sports mail reported that Madrid had contacted the English midfielder last week.

But taking into account the former Manchester United defender’s claims, Merson disagreed, claiming that Bellingham was “not a selfish player” and was “up for the challenge” at Anfield.

“I can see where Rio Ferdinand is coming from when he says Jude Bellingham will choose Real Madrid over Liverpool based on their knockout game in the Champions League,” the former Arsenal midfielder wrote in his column in the Daily star.

But I’ve read stories about Bellingham and his family and all they were ever interested in was making sure he played football when they chose Borussia Dortmund over Man United.

A year out of the Champions League at 19 will not define his career if Liverpool miss out on fourth place. He’s not a selfish player and I feel like he likes the challenge.’

The Birmingham City Academy graduate has been touted for some time as one of the most exciting young talents in the world.

Since joining the Bundesliga club in 2020, the box-to-box midfielder has scored 20 goals in 123 appearances for the club, but has particularly impressed with his superb skills on the ball and maturity beyond his age. goes beyond.

Ferdinand also praised the midfielder in November, claiming that ‘he could now captain England’ after becoming one of the standout players during England’s 2022 World Cup run.

Named the ‘oldest 19-year-old in the world’ by his manager Edin Terzic, he is also captain of the Bundesliga this season.

And for Merson, his maturity and earthiness could mean he’d like a year out of the Champions League to play for Jürgen Klopp’s side.

Jurgen Klopp’s team was out on Wednesday in the Champions League against Real Madrid

Bellingham’s contract expires in 2025 and several major clubs are in the running to sign him

Bellingham has now been called up to Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 qualifying squad

“It’s okay to play in the Champions League, but what good is it if you don’t win it? He is an example for every child out there, it’s not about money, it’s about performance.

“I still think he could take a year out of the Champions League if Liverpool don’t qualify. He has a very long career ahead of him.’

Several clubs will be in the market for a new midfielder this summer, with Manchester United reportedly now entering the race to sign Bellingham.

But it seems a move to Real Madrid or Liverpool is most likely for the Dortmund superstar, who was named in Gareth Southgate’s 25-man squad for England’s upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine earlier this week .