Former Ireland footballer Kenny Cunningham has said he understands Jurgen Klopp’s position in not being able to sign Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund but also thinks Liverpool could find the money if they wanted.
Reports have said that Liverpool have ended their interest in the midfielder due to the €130 million price tag that Dortmund are looking for his signature.
Klopp was asked about the transfer ahead of his side’s trip to Leeds on Monday and he said he wasn’t angry with the owners Fenway Sports Group for not putting up the money.
“I am not angry [with the owners],” Klopp said. “I don’t agree with everything we do but I am employed here and I am not here to be angry about things that will work out or not work out.
"If I am angry, we won’t all of a sudden have more money and resources to do everything. The way we did things in the past is the way we will do it in the future – that’s the way.
“I cannot change that; nobody could change that. We were pretty successful with that. That we didn’t win the four trophies last year, had nothing to do with the transfer market, that we didn’t sign enough players. Maybe some people would think if we signed certain players, we’d have a point more.”
While Cunningham understands where Klopp is coming from regarding Bellingham, he also told Joe Molloy on The Football Show that he thinks they could raise the funds.
"I'll be honest with you, I'd take Klopp at face value of what he said and I think to a large extent it's correct,” he said.
“I still think there's an argument there of, €130m plus wages, get five or six players out off the wage bill and transfer fees in and still make a pitch."
"I think they could lose half a dozen players by getting them off the wage bill and get an extra €50m and put in €70m on top to get Bellingham in. I think that's possible.
“I'm not sure the player would be up for that or if Liverpool are in the equation but by and large I understand what Klopp is saying. Those type of figures don't make sense for Liverpool"
So where does Cunningham feel Bellingham is most likely to end up?
“It looks like a two horse race - Man City and Real Madrid.”
Other names that have been mentioned in connection with Liverpool include Chelsea’s Mason Mount, Brighton’s Moisés Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister, Matheus Nunes of Wolves and Ryan Gravenberch of Bayern Munich.
If Liverpool don’t sign Bellingham, Cunningham doesn’t understand the pivot to Mount and thinks it’s unlikely McAllister will move.
"I don't quite understand the Mason Mount links. He's an attack minded 8, central midfield type of player and for me Liverpool don't need that type of player,” he added.
Liverpool play Nottingham Forest at Anfield on Saturday at 3pm.
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