Jude Bellingham insists it is disrespectful to talk about speculation linking Trent Alexander Arnold with a summer move to Real Madrid, writes Matthew Bosano at Anfield.
The Liverpool player’s contract expires at the end of the season and Madrid are known to be admirers of the right back.
Alexander-Arnold’s England teammate Bellingham will line up against him for Real at Anfield in tomorrow night’s Champions League clash. But the former Borussia Dortmund man wouldn’t be drawn on whether he would like his good friend to join him at the Santiago Bernabeu.
He said: “I’ll be by his side with the national team anyway, hopefully, so that’s a guarantee.
“He’s a Liverpool player and I think it’s disrespectful, especially to come to his home today, to speak about anything that could be misconstrued with such a huge game tomorrow.
“It’s important to take that pressure off him. He’s a really good mate of mine, and I want him to do really well – just not tomorrow night!”
Bellingham reflected on his difficult summer after the Euros, where he felt unfairly blamed for England’s loss in the final against Spain.
He said: “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. I felt like some of it was a bit harsh on me. I felt I was a bit like the scapegoat.”
While he has talked about life at Real Madrid, Bellingham admitted life after the Euros was tough and revealed his family was targeted during the tournament.
He said: “I felt like the world was crumbling down on me, especially in the three days following the final.
“Journalists went to see members of my family, even my grandparents, while I was at the tournament. That crosses the line of respect. I took it personally and decided to focus on football to let that do the talking.
“For me, pressure isn’t an issue. Playing for Real Madrid and the national team, expectations are always high. I’m the luckiest lad in the world to do what I do.”
Bellingham and Real Madrid have struggled for form in the Champions League this season, with just two wins from four games. Meanwhile, Liverpool went into matchday five top of the standings with four wins from four.
