Liverpool had the money to sign £12 million/year sensation

Liverpool were seriously interested in signing Jude Bellingham but ended their pursuit of the English midfielder before signing four new midfielders this summer.

Jurgen Klopp added Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch and fans are quite happy with the new additions.

The quality in midfield is vastly superior to what was on show last season and already claims are being made that Liverpool will challenge for the title.

James Pearce reports that Liverpool only dropped out of the race to sign Jude Bellingham as they felt that they couldn't "justify committing so much money to one deal, when they were in the market for two elite midfielders".

However this doesn't make much sense when we look at the numbers more closely.

Liverpool have more money than anyone thought

The narrative that Liverpool are broke is a bad joke given that FSG have consistently been able to generate profit via their use of the transfer market.

When it was confirmed that reports of a £110 million bid for Moises Caicedo were true, it was also confirmed that Liverpool have been stockpiling revenue for use in the transfer window.

The Reds may not have had the cash needed to sign Bellingham when they needed to sign him, with Jordan Henderson and Fabinho only leaving over a month after the 20-year-old signed for Madrid.

According to Sky Sports, his move to the Santiago Bernabeu cost the Los Blancos an initial £88.5 million although the price may rise to £115 million if bonuses are triggered.

Marca reported that Bellingham will earn £12 million per year in Spain or the equivalent of around £230,000 per week which, admittedly, is more than the £150,000 per week Caicedo earns with Chelsea.

In short, Liverpool definitely could have afforded Mac Allister, Szoboszlai and Bellingham although they may not have been able to sign both Endo and Gravenberch as well.

In other news...

Liverpool have been praised by BBC Pundit Chris Sutton for holding onto Mohamed Salah this summer even when teased by the prospect of a £150 million payday.

The Reds have been tipped to challenge for the Premier League title following their midfield rebuild.