Jude Bellingham speaks out on Liverpool transfer and Trent Alexander-Arnold exit rumours

Jude Bellingham has refused to be drawn on the future of close friend Trent Alexander-Arnold and believes Real Madrid are on a "different level" to Liverpool. Alexander-Arnold is in the final 12 months of his contract with the player at present set to leave on a free transfer next summer given talks over a new deal have not yet reached a resolution.

Real Madrid are understood to be long-time suitors of the the right-back and speculation in the Spanish media over a potential transfer to the Bernabeu has been ramped up in recent weeks.

Bellingham, who will play at Anfield for the first time in his career when Liverpool entertain the European Super League advocates in the Champions League on Wednesday night, has forged a strong friendship with the 26-year-old through their time together with the England squad.

And when asked whether he could picture himself lining up with Alexander-Arnold at Real Madrid next season, the midfielder said: "I'll be playing alongside him next season for England anyway. That will be a guarantee.

"But he's a Liverpool player and it would be disrespectful to come to his home today with a big game tomorrow and talk about something that could be misconstrued so it's important to take that pressure off him. I want him to do really well normally. Just not tomorrow."

Liverpool were among a number of clubs chasing Bellingham's signature last year when the player opted to leave Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund, who he had joined from Birmingham City as a 17-year-old in 2020.

But Bellingham said: "It probably wasn't as close as a lot of the media made out. I had conversations with a few clubs when leaving Borussia Dortmund and making that decision. They gave me permission to speak to a few clubs.

"One thing I have to say is all the clubs I spoke to were very respectful of me and my family which was something I really respected.

"But when Real Madrid come knocking on the door it shakes the whole house. It's hard not to open and accept. It's not a matter the other teams weren't good or were bad when I spoke to them, it's just that Real Madrid are on a different level."

Of the current Liverpool side, Bellingham added: "It's clear to see how good a team they are. They have got players who have gone to a new level and some of the more experienced lads have been together a long time. It'll be a great test and a good game. But I'm still confident."

Meanwhile, Bellingham has claimed he was made a scapegoat for England's failure to beat Spain in the Euro 2024 final during the summer.

"I've got to be honest, I think I lost my smile a lot after the Euros when it came to playing for England because I felt like I was a little bit mistreated in comparison to what I contributed," he said. "I felt like some of it was a bit harsh on me.

"I felt I was a bit like the scapegoat. Maybe I was feeling a little bit sorry for myself.

"Criticism is part of the game and I know how to accept it but when it feels personal it does give you a bit of a new challenge to continue to shut people up.

"That’s something I’ve dealt with since I was very young, coming into the first team at Birmingham when people aren’t sure you’re ready. You take those little things and you try to use it as motivation.

"Like I say, it’s not something I’m really worried about. I understand it is part of the game."