Gary Neville has told Sky Sports that Liverpool are more likely to sign Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund than Manchester City – joking that it unnerves him to see Jordan Henderson “cuddling up to” Bellingham against Senegal.
Bellingham, 19, produced another masterclass performance from the middle of the park on Sunday evening. England beat Senegal in the last 16 to win 3-0, with Harry Kane, Jordan Henderson and Bukayo Saka on the score sheet.
Kane continued his ability to create. His inch-perfect pass into the on-rushing Bellingham allowed the teenager to find Henderson in the penalty area, with the Liverpool skipper finishing with aplomb. Kane then opened his account.
A gorgeous finish after a neat counter from England. Phil Foden got the assist, and the assist for the second – his cross into Saka allowing the Arsenal man to net his third of the World Cup. Neville raved about Bellingham on Monday.
“What he is delivering what he is unique. Keane and Gerrard were not doing it at that age, what he is doing at a World Cup, is breathtaking. It is something I have never seen before. It will attract a lot of interest from Premier League clubs.
Asked about the celebration between him and Henderson, he joked: “The whole thing unnerves me. Foden next to Bellingham, you see him going for a walk with Alexander-Arnold. You see Henderson cuddling up to him.
“You think, you cheeky little sods, you know what you’re trying to do. The reality, he is more likely to go to Liverpool than Manchester City – because where they’re at, what they’re doing. You can’t rule out Europe or Manchester United.”
Neville: Liverpool more likely to sign Bellingham than Manchester City
It is an interesting take, given Liverpool do not have the cash reserves of Manchester City. German journalist Florian Plettenberg claims it is a three-horse race between Liverpool, City and Real Madrid. He will cost a fee of £129million.
Bellingham is a sensational talent, though, and it is likely that come next summer – it will be more than just three clubs. He has the quality and the potential that any club in the world will want to buy. The race to get him will be intense.
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