Jürgen Klopp is already desperate to find his new reinforcements

Former Liverpool star of the 1980s John Barnes believes Liverpool should sign young sensation Jude Bellingham next summer but has named two other candidates who would strengthen his former side's midfield. German manager Jürgen Klopp listens as he plots a recovery from a lacklustre season. Liverpool bolster midfield with Brazilian Arthur Melo.

The Birmingham City, Bellingham academy graduate has been a revelation since moving to the Bundesliga in 2020 and has become a key player for both Dortmund and England. After racking up 20 goal contributions in all competitions for the German giants last term, Premier League clubs have been keen to bring the highly-rated 19-year-old back to these shores.

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The Reds are among the leading candidates to land the England international, who previously spent some time on Merseyside when playing at Under-11 level. He had a two-day trial at the club's Kirkby academy and impressed, enjoying a tour of the facilities. But Liverpool decided not to keep him and are now looking to pay a millionaire to bring him back to Melwood. 

Barnes has outlined how Bellingham is the leading candidate for the Reds' midfield, which is a priority position for the club. Arthur Melo signed a season-long loan deal from Juventus on transfer deadline day but is unlikely to have a long-term future at the club with James Milner and Jordan Henderson also out.

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The club had hoped to sign Aurelien Tchouameni from Monaco this summer but the France international joined Real Madrid, where he now lines up regularly alongside Fede Valverde, another player the Merseyside club have held a long-term interest. 'Any of those three (Bellingham, Fede Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni) would be perfect for Liverpool. I can't necessarily see Valverde or Tchouameni leaving Real Madrid at the moment. Jude Bellingham is a possibility,' Barnes told BonusCodeBets.