Rio Ferdinand says Jude Bellingham may have been convinced to join Real Madrid over Liverpool

Rio Ferdinand believes Jude Bellingham may have been convinced to join Real Madrid ahead of Liverpool this summer after witnessing their confident Champions League last-16 victory over the Reds. 

Jurgen Klopp’s men went out without laying a glove on Los Blancos as they were beaten 1-0 in the second leg at the Bernabeu – having been demolished 5-2 in the first clash at Anfield. 

It was a damning reminder of where Liverpool are at as a team – and Man United legend Ferdinand feels it may have been the deciding factor for Dortmund’s Bellingham as he weighs up his future. 

The 19-year-old is one of the most coveted players in Europe after putting in a series of mature and accomplished displays in the middle of the park for both Dortmund and England in recent seasons. 

Liverpool, Man City and Madrid are all the leading contenders to snatch up the England international at the end of the season and Ferdinand claimed the lure of trophies in the Spanish capital may be enough to bring him to LaLiga. 

Jude Bellingham (left) may have been swayed to join Carlo Ancelotti’s (right) Real Madrid after they cruised past Liverpool in the Champions League, says Rio Ferdinand

Ferdinand feels Bellingham will have seen he can win more trophies if he goes to the Bernabeu

Liverpool’s defeat by Madrid over two legs was a damning reminder of their current level 

He told the BT Sport studio: ‘I just think, if he watches that tonight, he’s sitting there thinking: “If Real Madrid are in for me and Liverpool, there’s only one place I can go” – and they [Liverpool] don’t finish in the Champions League as well maybe. 

‘As a player – nothing to do with my allegiances to United or Liverpool – you look at it cold and you go: “I see more trophies here [at Madrid]”.’