Liverpool have been linked with making an audacious move to sign Jude Bellingham from Real Madrid in recent days, but the Reds already signed the "best midfielder in the world" in the summer when they splashed out £116million on Florian Wirtz.
GIVEMESPORT covered a report from Spain last week that claimed Liverpool were prepared to offer £156million to sign Bellingham from Real Madrid.
Bellingham was linked with a move to Anfield when there was a host of speculation about his future at Borussia Dortmund in 2019, with Liverpool eventually walking away from a deal before the England international signed for Real Madrid in an £88.5million move.
Jude Bellingham vs Florian Wirtz
Jude Bellingham
The Englishman has had his ups and downs at the Santiago Bernabeu, and given his profile there will always be speculation surrounding his future.
The report from Spain claimed that Liverpool would aim to shake up the transfer market once again with a huge move, with the Reds 'prepared' to submit a €180million (£156million) offer to Real Madrid for Bellingham.
Bellingham has been described as 'the best player in the world' and is one of Madrid's key players, and a crucial part of their medium and long-term plans. But that will not stop the rumour mill.
However, do Liverpool need him?
Florian Wirtz Starting To Make His Mark For Liverpool
FLORIAN WIRTZ
An argument can be made for a player of Bellingham's quality that every team would need him, but Liverpool already have the "best midfielder in the world" according to former Germany and Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrick Helmes.
Following a win in the Champions League, while playing for Leverkusen, Helmes said: "What Florian Wirtz can do is absolutely exceptional for me. Probably the best midfielder in the world. He has left huge shoes to fill in Leverkusen."
Wirtz has not exactly set the Premier League alight since his £116million move in the summer, taking time to adapt to the pace of the English game.
However, he is starting to come into his own, halfway through his first campaign with the Reds.
After failing to register a goal or assist in the first `13 weeks of the season - with many starting to question the price tag - Wirtz has started to turn the tide.
The German international has four goal contributions (two goals and two assists) in his last eight Premier League appearances and bagged a goal and assist in the FA Cup third round defeat of Barnsley on Monday night.
Liverpool Have Talent In Abundance In Midfield
Dominik Szoboszlai for Liverpool against Eintracht Frankfurt
He has plenty of work to do in England to live up to the "best midfielder in the world" billing, but if his record at Leverkusen is anything to go by he is more than capable of managing that claim.
There is no doubt that finding a place for both Wirtz and Bellingham in Arne Slot's side would prove troublesome, particularly with Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch also on the books at Anfield, but having both of them together would be a real statement to the rest of the Premier League.