Liverpool legend butters up Jude Bellingham as pair swap glowing compliments

Jude Bellingham and Steven Gerrard were full of praise for each other after England beat Ukraine on Sunday, with the Liverpool legend doing his best to butter up the Reds transfer target.

Still only 19, Bellingham picked up his 24th England cap on Sunday and turned in another good display in a pretty comfortable win for the Three Lions.

There is still plenty of conjecture over where the teenager will be plying his trade next season, with a move away from Borussia Dortmund looking likely.

The likes of Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain remain interested, but the three leading contenders appear to be Liverpool, Real Madrid and Manchester City.

Bellingham has spoken before about how Gerrard was his idol as a player growing up and he took the opportunity to tell the midfield icon to his face after England beat Ukraine.

Asked why he idolised Gerrard, the Dortmund star said: ‘The way he could carry teams, the teams he played for, the way he could single-handedly win a game… he could do everything as a midfielder. I’ve said it multiple times that it’s you (his idol).’

Gerrard returned the compliment in some style, saying Bellingham is ahead of where he was at 19 years old.

‘Well let me tell you, you’re a lot further ahead than I was at your age. So you’re going in the right direction, that’s for sure,’ Gerrard said.

‘Well for one he’s got a better body than what I had at 19. I’m being serious! I never had that power and strength until I was 22-23.

‘So he’s definitely more physically developed than me. He’s more confident than me on the ball, in terms of trying stuff. I’m not just saying that to be modest, but I think he’s further on than what I was at 19.

‘Don’t get me wrong, I got to where I wanted to get to, and he’s going to get to where he wants to if he keeps doing what he’s doing. He’s a fantastic player. He just needs to keep playing well, keep playing well and the rest will take care of itself.’

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