Jurgen Klopp risks history repeating itself as he forms part of a second delegation attempting to sign a Bellingham.
The German pulled out all the stops to try and land Real Madrid star Jude when he was Liverpool boss – and now brother Jobe could be set for a Bundesliga switch of his own.
The Bellingham siblings came through the ranks at boyhood Birmingham before transfers to Borussia Dortmund and Sunderland.
After two and a half years in Germany, the elder Bellingham had the world’s top sides vying for his signature in December 2022.
Liverpool were thought to have been favourites when the midfielder had flown out with England for the World Cup.
Former Reds manager Klopp had spent minimally the previous summer at Anfield on midfield reinforcements to save his war chest.
He sanctioned a panic deadline day loan for Arthur Melo – who ultimately played just 13 minutes – to plug the gap he’d hoped would be filled long-term the following season by Bellingham.
Ex-England international Conor Coady even claimed Jordan Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold ‘man-marked’ him at meal times in Qatar – with the latter ironically now seemingly destined to end up at Madrid himself.
“I don’t like to talk about money when you talk about a player like him. Everyone can see he is just exceptional,” said Klopp after the World Cup.
“If you mention to someone who has no clue about football, or who knows about football and has not watched it for a while (and ask) ‘How old do you think Jude Bellingham is?’, I don’t think anyone would get even close to his age.
“They would say 28 or 29 because he plays so maturely. 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. What can I say? 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.”
However, Klopp was left disappointed months later when Bellingham made it clear he was focused on a switch to Spain.
The 57-year-old admitted in January 2024: “We were interested in Bellingham and realised it would not happen.”
It may prove to be second-time lucky for Klopp looking to sign a Bellingham in his new job as the Global Head of Soccer at Red Bull.
Since January, Klopp has been advising Red Bull’s international network of teams on coaching matters, playing philosophy, development and transfers of players and coaches.
One of the clubs involved are RB Leipzig, who are said to be seriously interested in signing Sunderland star Jobe.
Reports in Germany claim the Bundesliga giants are one of the clubs keen on a transfer for the 19-year-old.
The England U21 international is also a long-term target for Crystal Palace, who have had him on their radar in previous windows.
Since arriving from Birmingham in 2023, Jobe has scored 11 goals during 81 appearances for the Black Cats in all competitions.
It’s understood that the Black Cats value Bellingham at £20million.
According to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, Leipzig have held initial talks over a possible summer transfer.
Klopp has already been busy overhauling Leipzig since his arrival, with the club sacking one of his former players, Marco Rose, as manager.
