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Jurgen Klopp praises exceptional Jude Bellingham as Liverpool target Champions League qualification

Jurgen Klopp praised the exceptional Jude Bellingham as he admitted that qualifying for the Champions League has become Liverpools main target this season.

Klopp is a big admirer of the gifted Borussia Dortmund midfielder, who is expected to leave the Bundesliga club next summer for a fee in excess of 100million.

However, Liverpool face serious competition for his signature from Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City.

Asked if Bellinghams outstanding performances for England at the World Cup had made him less affordable, Klopp said: I dont like to talk about money when you talk about a player like him. Everyone can see he is just exceptional.

If you mention to someone who has no clue about football or who knows about football and has not watched it for a while: How old do you think Jude Bellingham is?

I dont think anyone would get even close to his age. They would say 28 or 29 because he plays so mature. He played an exceptional World Cup. Absolutely exceptional.

With all the things he has and things he can improve, to describe him I would say the things he can do are difficult to learn, and the things he can improve are easy to learn. So, yes, he is a really good player.

I have thought that already for two or three years since he had his breakthrough at Dortmund. Everybody knew already but I have no idea what that means for the money side of it. I really think if we all want to do him a favour then we do not talk too much about money. I mean that from an England point of view. Do not throw any hurdles in his development.

Jude Bellingham, Liverpool, Man Utd and the battle to sign him next summer

Liverpool will need the riches of Champions League qualification in order to have any chance of financing that kind of deal. They currently find themselves seven points behind fourth-placed Tottenham with a game in hand.

It is very important for the club and that is our main target now, Klopp adds.

I am surprised that today you dont ask me: Can you be champions? But 15 or whatever points behind, how can you ask this question?

It is important (top four) but you ask it from a transfer perspective? Yes. Again, generally we have a good chance to qualify for the Champions League.

Will it happen this year? I dont know. But 100 per cent we are one of the contenders for the next few years again.

If you ask a player and he says: Next year you are not in the Champions League and I would prefer to go to a football club who plays this year and maybe not next year then I am not sure I would still want this player to be honest.

I understand it 100 per cent I want to be in the Champions League all the time. For the moment we have two pathways still to qualify for it next year. As long as that is the case, I see ourselves as proper contenders for the Champions League qualification.

Liverpool return to Premier League action on Boxing Day when they take on Aston Villa at Villa Park.

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James Pearcejoins the Athletic after 14 years working for the Liverpool Echo. The dad-of-two has spent the past decade covering the fortunes of Liverpool FC across the globe to give fans the inside track on the Reds from the dressing room to the boardroom.Follow James on Twitter@JamesPearceLFC