West Ham striker Michail Antonio has jumped into the defense of Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, while advising Jude Bellingham to join the German at Anfield. The Reds are enduring a tough season as they sit ninth in the Premier League, already out of the title race. And the blame has been pinned on Klopp, with reports claiming that the manager could be axed if poor run of results continue.

However, Antonio came out all guns blazing, blasting the claims which are calling for the German’s axing. The Hammers’ forward also talked about the highly anticipated transfer of Jude Bellingham, who is heavily tipped to join Liverpool. The Reds are short on quality in the midfield, and as a result are ready to swoop in for the Borussia Dortmund player as a long term solution.

Antonio advises Jude Bellingham not to reject Liverpool based in their current form

Jurgen Klopp has been facing criticism all season long as his Liverpool has been devoid of consistency with half the season gone. Although injuries to his main attackers Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota hampered Liverpool’s campaign, Darwin Nunez from Benfica in a club record signing and Cody Gakpo from PSV were bought as replacements. But there’s no significant improvement and Klopp is at the receiving end of the backlash. However, Antonio feels the claims of a potential sacking of the Liverpool manager are too much as he told his podcast, The Footballer’s Football Podcast:

“Wow, that is ridiculous! You can’t. That’s ludicrous. Getting rid of him would just be stupidity. He won the Premier League with Liverpool. At the end of the day, so many managers have been there and they haven’t done it.”

The striker went on to opine on Jude Bellingham’s transfer, fluctuating on advising him on his next destination, before settling on Liverpool. The England international is believed to the apple of Liverpool’s eye, as they feel his costly acquisition could solve their midfield issues for the years to come. They are currently trying to run the show on old legs with majority of their midfielders well beyond 30. Antonio, speaking on the 19-year-old Dortmund midfielder said:

“If I was in his shoes, he has the pick of everyone, I would be going to Spain. The Premier League is the best league in the world, but the opportunity to play for Real Madrid or Barcelona, those teams are something else. Everyone dreams to play for them.”

However, in a split second, Antonio then urged Jude Bellingham to rather sign for Liverpool than move to Spain next. He snapped:

“I’ve changed my mind. I think he should come to the Premier League. If he comes to Liverpool, they have managed to keep Salah, and will rebuild. I wouldn’t turn down Liverpool just because they’re having a bad season.”

Many have backed the teenaged midfielder to join Liverpool, as a mark of their start of rebuilding. However, the race to sign Bellingham is already heated, with over half-a-dozen elite clubs across Europe positioning themselves in order to swoop him in. Dortmund too are anticipating offers for their prized asset as they have accepted the midfielder will be moving on in the summer.