By Frank McAvennie

23rd May, 2023 | 8:33am

Liverpool are just about to sign player 'better than Jude Bellingham' - pundit

Frank McAvennie has suggested Alexis Mac Allister may be a better option for Liverpool than Jude Bellingham.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former West Ham striker urged Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz to “step up” next season.

On Friday (19 May), sources told this site that the Reds are progressing with talks to sign Mac Allister this summer and have made him a priority signing.

On Sunday, Football Insider revealed that Brighton are closing in on a deal for Borussia Dortmund’s Mahmoud Dahoud, suggesting Mac Allister, 24, could be heading to Anfield this summer.

Jurgen Klopp’s side had been linked with a move for England sensation Jude Bellingham and had been closing in on a deal for the midfielder before ruling themselves out before the start of the summer window.

The cost of the deal could have cost up to £130million and that was excluding fees and wages on top, forcing Klopp to abandon plans to add the 19-year-old to his ranks.

McAvennie understands the Reds’ reluctance to pay up for Bellingham.

“The problem with Bellingham was the fee and the wages because he would have wanted top wages,” he told Football Insider.

“Mac Allister is a really good player and that might be more beneficial to Liverpool than Bellingham.

“I think they have got to get two or three players in midfield. It is time for the likes of Diaz and Nunez to step up now.

“I thought Bellingham was a great fit for them but I get it, it is an awful lot of money to spend on one player.“

In other news, Liverpool deal done as proven performer jets in to England to finalise move