Craig Bellamy offers honest verdict on Liverpool target Jeremy Doku

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Liverpool are long-term fans of Rennes winger Jeremy Doku – and former Reds ace Craig Bellamy has given his view on the wide man.

Many names are linked with Liverpool in every transfer window, and Doku is one of the most prominent names.

This goes way back to Doku’s time at Anderlecht in his native Belgium.

Liverpool wanted to sign Doku from Anderlecht in 2018, with Jurgen Klopp believing he could be the new Sadio Mane.

Romelu Lukaku allegedly advised Doku against making the move, believing the youngster was better off staying at Anderlecht.

Doku showed huge promise in Belgium, notching six goals and seven assists in 37 outings for Anderlecht.

The logical step was to make an intermediate move before joining a European powerhouse. In 2020, Doku made that move by joining Rennes.

Whilst so dangerous on the ball, Doku hasn’t quite found the end product yet. Four goals and five assts in 49 games for Rennes isn’t amazing, and goes to show the development he still needs to make.

Doku is still expected to end up in a top team one day, with Liverpool seen as a likely destination given their long-term interest, even as recent as last summer.

With Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz on board, Liverpool seem to be preparing for their next great front three – and Doku could be part of it.

One former Liverpool man who knows Doku well is Craig Bellamy, who coached Doku during his time at Anderlecht.

Speaking to The Central Club, Bellamy has admitted that Doku was a ‘difficult’ player to coach but will give you absolutely everything if you care about him.

Bellamy noted that you can’t talk down to Doku because he could ‘go the other way’, with Jurgen Klopp’s personal approach possibly ideal for the Belgium international.

“Even Doku at Rennes, he rings me all the time now and he knows I’ve got his back,” said Bellamy. “He was a difficult player. Antwerp boy, tough kid, beyond talented. Don’t mess with him – you can’t talk down to him, because he’ll just go the other way. Get him on side, let him know you care about him because if you care about him, he’ll play like anything for you,” he added.