By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

20th Mar, 2023 | 6:59am

Sources: Two Liverpool stars used by club to lure Jude Bellingham to Anfield

Liverpool believe that Jude Bellingham’s friendship with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jordan Henderson can help lure him to Anfield this summer, sources have told Football Insider.

The 19-year-old Borussia Dortmund star shares a close bond with his two fellow England internationals, and both have discussed a move to Merseyside with him.

The Reds have made Bellingham a priority transfer target for the summer, with Jurgen Klopp wanting to overhaul his midfield with new arrivals.

Football Insider sources revealed on Saturday (18 March) that Liverpool are Bellingham’s first choice as a record-breaking £130m+ move edges closer.

Real Madrid, Man City and Chelsea remain in the race to sign Bellingham, but Liverpool are well placed provided they can afford the transfer fee and qualify for the Champions League this season.

Alexander-Arnold and Henderson both have strong ties to Anfield, with the former coming up through the club’s youth ranks and the latter signing from Sunderland in 2011 and spending the last 12 years with the side.

Liverpool believe they can help influence Bellingham’s choice and have given their approval to them reaching out to the player.

Bellingham refuses to rule out a summer move, but insists his full focus this season is on Dortmund’s title race in the Bundesliga.

He has scored 10 goals and assisted six in 34 appearances this season to help Dortmund to the top of the table – one point clear of arch-rivals Bayern Munich.

Dortmund have opened talks with Bellingham over a new contract, but the young midfielder is still undecided about his summer plans.

In other news, Southampton, Brighton and Leicester City in race to sign Liverpool star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain this summer