Liverpool's £131M target 'idolises' Reds legend - is also close with another Liverpool star

Liverpool's £131M target reportedly 'idolises' Liverpool legend and is also close with a key player in the current squad.

A report from the Athletic has claimed that Jude Bellingham, Liverpool's premier transfer target, grew up idolising Merseyside legend Steven Gerrard.

It also details how he's grown closer to current captain Jordan Henderson thanks to their regular time together with England.

The report contains all sorts of exclusive information about Bellingham, which has gone on to add more fuel to the fire with a potential move up in the air.

Bellingham 'idolises' Gerrard

According to the Athletic, he grew up idolising the Liverpool skipper and has spoken of his pride at being named among the top five midfielders in the world by the now-Aston Villa head coach.

His relationship with Henderson has grown in recent years thanks to the number of England camps the two midfielders have shared. Bellingham described the former Sunderland player as 'the most professional player he's played with at England'. The 32-year-old also gave his thoughts on the rising star.

“I like the way he plays. I like his personality, which is the most important thing. I like the way he conducts himself. I’ve got nothing but good things to say about him. The sky is the limit for him, really,” says Henderson.

Bellingham currently has the most appearances of any English teenager in the Champions League with 18 and continues to defy his young age with the quality of his performances.

Former Manchester United and Bayern Munich midfielder Owen Hargreaves even drew comparison's between the pair he told BT Sport, as quoted by the Liverpool Echo.

"Jude can do everything: be physical like Stevie G, he can be aggressive, can play passes over the top, run beyond you, dribble - that's the type of player you’ve got to worry about."