The signing of Jude Bellingham is not 'necessary' for Liverpool this summer - and they should target Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips instead.
That's according to former Chelsea and Marseille forward Tony Cascarino, who believes that Bellingham's England team-mate would be a better fit in Jurgen Klopp's squad in the current circumstances.
Reports last week from The Times claimed that the Reds had cooled interest in Bellingham, amid previous claims that an £84 million bid had been launched for the Borussia Dortmund star.
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Liverpool must now look at other targets, and speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of Monday's trip to Leeds, Klopp addressed the Reds' chances of signing Bellingham.
He said: "We cannot have six players in a summer, everyone for £100m.
"We are not children. When you ask a five-year-old what they want for Christmas and they say a Ferrari, you wouldn't say, 'Oh, that's a good idea'. You would say, 'No, that is too expensive, and anyway, you cannot drive it'.
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"If that kid is unhappy their whole life because he cannot get a Ferrari, it would be a really sad life. You look what you can do, and you work with that."
Now, Klopp has been advised on which player he should target instead.
Liverpool told to sign Phillips this summer
Speaking on talkSPORT, ex-Republic of Ireland striker Cascarino thinks that Phillips would be a good addition to Liverpool's squad this summer.
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The 27-year-old joined City last summer from Leeds, having impressed at Elland Road in both the Premier League and the Championship.
He also established himself as a regular starter in Gareth Southgate's England setup, and was an ever-present in midfield at Euro 2020.
However, his move to the Etihad Stadium hasn't gone to plan. Injuries affected him in the first part of the season, but he is still yet to start a Premier League fixture for Pep Guardiola's side.
Still, Cascarino has explained why he believes Liverpool should make a move.
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He said: "I think [Bellingham's] a fantastic player. Do I think he's necessary for Liverpool at the moment? No.
"I think they need way more of an engine room that was so similar to what they had a couple of years ago. And that is winning that ball back.
"They need two midfielders that can get that ball back as quickly as they can. I think that would make a massive change.
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"Jude is a fabulous talent and every team in the country would want Jude Bellingham, because he's a massive talent. I don't think he's necessary for Liverpool. I think there are more important players that need to come in before then.
"The most important thing is two players that can play, a bit like the Jordan Henderson type that can play and pass and do things, but first and foremost they need ball winners in there.
"I like Kalvin Phillips at Manchester City. He's not been used, and Rodri's performances have been extraordinary, but I think he's a fabulous ball winner. I saw him enough at Leeds to go, 'What ability he's got at getting the ball back'."
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Liverpool, Jude Bellingham, Jurgen Klopp, Manchester City, Kalvin Phillips, Premier League
