Liverpool’s Post-Bellingham Plan: A Promising Start to the Reds’ Promised Rebuild
When news broke in April that Liverpool had pulled out of the race to sign Jude Bellingham, there was an unsurprising eruption of anger among Liverpool fans on social media. The Reds had long coveted the midfielder, and the primary reason offered for their withdrawal – the escalating cost of the deal and the need to fund significant surgery to the squad as a whole – made little sense given that it had been obvious for some time that Borussia Dortmund would not be offering up a bargain. Ultimately, it was revealed that Bellingham only ever wanted to go to Real Madrid, and Liverpool had simply been used as leverage.
While there was disappointment over that outcome, it is understood it did not cause senior figures at Anfield to waver in their belief that a club of Liverpool’s standing should always be in the hunt for players like Bellingham. Now, three months on from missing out on their natural heir to Steven Gerrard, it would be fair to describe the Reds’ response as emphatic. Even those who were particularly desperate to see Bellingham arrive on Merseyside would struggle to argue with the alternatives offered up thus far. In a crazy, inflated market, bringing in two players of the calibre of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai for just £95 million represents truly remarkable business.
Fortunately, attracting players becomes that bit easier when you have a manager boasting Klopp’s mix of track record and charisma. Liverpool are likely to need to lean on that pull again as the window progresses, with their post-Bellingham plan still not fully executed. Further additions in midfield remain possible, with Southampton starlet Romeo Lavia currently being monitored. It is an encouraging start that the Reds remain open to a third addition in that position – a holder, no less – given it suggests they are fully aware of just how deep their issues in the engine room ran last term.
However, there are two sticking points currently blocking plans to fully address the problem area before pre-season gets underway. The first is a feeling that, to be able to offer sufficient playing time to convince any new signing of the merits of a move to Anfield, it may be helpful (though room for compromise always exists) to sanction a departure, with Thiago the current likeliest candidate. The second issue is the lofty £50m price tag Southampton are understood to have put on their most prized asset amid interest from both Arsenal and Chelsea, despite his paucity of senior experience.
Whether Liverpool can find their way past these roadblocks in the weeks ahead – and indeed how they fare in terms of securing the defensive addition they are also keen on – will go a long way to deciding just how successful this summer’s promised rebuild ultimately is. But for now, at least, there can be few qualms over what has been a promising start to righting the wrongs of that doomed Bellingham pursuit.
Conclusion
Liverpool’s post-Bellingham plan has got off to a promising start, with the Reds making two impressive signings in Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai for just £95 million. The club are still looking to add further additions in midfield, with Southampton starlet Romeo Lavia currently being monitored. However, there are two sticking points currently blocking plans to fully address the problem area before pre-season gets underway. Whether Liverpool can find their way past these roadblocks in the weeks ahead will go a long way to deciding just how successful this summer’s promised rebuild ultimately is. But for now, at least, there can be few qualms over what has been a promising start to righting the wrongs of that doomed Bellingham pursuit.