Jude Bellingham Silences Critics with Masterful Anfield Performance

In Liverpool, the city that inspired "Hey Jude," Bellingham couldn't transform a disappointing performance into something positive for Real Madrid. Madrid supporters wrapped their team scarves around the Beatles statues near the Mersey, but never came close to matching Liverpool's legends at Anfield. Bellingham gave his all.

Real Madrid's imposing attacking midfielder ranks among England's most talented players of the past three decades. He possesses height and strength, technical excellence and mental fortitude, yet remains a polarizing figure. Any objective evaluation of Bellingham's display would recognize his errors that contributed to Liverpool's goal while also noting that he generated Real's finest opportunity and demonstrated tremendous effort both with and without the ball.

Frequently, discussions about Bellingham become obscured by harsh criticism rather than fair analysis. Online detractors were brutal regarding his performance against Liverpool, hurling various unfavorable assessments from "overhyped" to "extremely overrated" that overshadowed more balanced evaluations like "covered the most distance for Madrid. Cannot single-handedly carry the team."

Social media judgments are frequently influenced by partisan loyalties, and the young embodiment of Real's aspirations becomes a casualty of this bias. Some Barcelona supporters were furious about Bellingham's selection over their cherished Pedri and Raphinha in the FIFPRO Men's World XI revealed on Monday. The elite squad was chosen by 20,000 professionals from 68 nations, "those who perform at the pinnacle and understand best who genuinely excelled," according to FIFPRO, the worldwide players' organization representing them.

Even longtime supporters found little genuinely outstanding in Bellingham's performances from July 15, 2024, the day following his European Championship final appearance, to August 3, 2025, aside from his role in England securing their top-tier Nations League position (earning him England supporters' Player of the Year recognition) and an impressive December for Real.

Bellingham has experienced more successful seasons. Perhaps the FIFPRO voters believed he performed well in the Club World Cup. A more accurate assessment of his year appeared in the Ballon d'Or rankings where he placed 23rd.

Obtaining an accurate assessment of Bellingham's performance level proves challenging due to the controversy he creates. He represents one of England's rare world-class talents, yet the nation remains split on whether he deserves inclusion in Thomas Tuchel's squad announcement at Wembley on Friday, much less starting against Serbia and Albania in upcoming World Cup qualifiers. There's even discussion, absurd as it seems, about whether Bellingham merits World Cup selection next summer. It's difficult to envision France excluding Kylian Mbappé, or Spain traveling across the Atlantic without Lamine Yamal. Yet this represents England's current situation. It's insane.

Tuchel adds complexity to the discussion. Tuchel and the explosive reactions that follow. Mrs. Tuchel informed her son she disapproves of Bellingham's behavior toward referees, a reasonable observation but sensationalized into inflammatory headlines against the player due to Tuchel's awkward translation. Those covering England engaged in extensive, somewhat inconclusive discussions with the German about his—or his mother's—meaning of "repulsive." Tuchel, who regularly emphasizes Bellingham's "special" qualities, clarified no offense was intended and contacted the player for explanation, yet subsequently excluded him from the squad.

Tuchel's message suggested some England teammates felt constrained by Bellingham's dominant personality. Those who have long documented England's persistent tournament failures argued the team requires someone with Bellingham's demanding character and exceptional standards. He can be difficult at times, he's only 22, he's developing. The humble may inherit the world but rarely capture World Cups.

No England player matches Bellingham's trophy collection from Germany and Spain plus a Champions League victory. He contributed significantly to all those successes. This frequently gets forgotten. Add criticism of Bellingham's father, Mark, a former police officer and prolific non-League scorer who fiercely protects his sons (Jude's brother Jobe represents Borussia Dortmund), and the situation becomes even more turbulent.

It's not my decision, I believe you understand whose decision it is. I would prefer to be but it's not my decision. I'll be anticipating the outcome.

Clearing the confusion isn't straightforward. However, anyone willing to examine Bellingham's impact objectively can recognize his talent. Claims that a prominent player fails in crucial matches are ridiculous. He recently scored decisive goals against Juventus and Barcelona. Important matches, crucial goals. He saved England from early elimination at Euro 2024 with his late strike against Slovakia in the round of 16.

At 22 years and 128 days, Bellingham became the youngest player to achieve 50 Champions League appearances when he entered at Anfield. He surpassed the record held by the great Iker Casillas, such a commanding figure in Real's goal from 1999 to 2015.

Upon joining Real, Bellingham chose the No. 5 jersey linked with Casillas' legendary teammate, Zinedine Zidane. This displayed the young Englishman's courage, ambition and reverence for Real's distinguished legacy. It also revealed Real's confidence in him by permitting such inevitable, though currently premature, comparisons.

Bellingham receives criticism due to his relationship with Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is despised by many Liverpool supporters because of his obviously orchestrated departure from Anfield to Real. Hell hath no fury like betrayed fans. Television viewers had to admire how Bellingham appeared on Amazon Prime afterward and diplomatically addressed questions about the Kop booing Alexander-Arnold. "They were simply fulfilling their role as supporters to distract him and affect his concentration," Bellingham stated. Excellent response: he defended his friend without escalating tensions.

Bellingham's club generates jealousy and hostility in many circles due to their influence, heritage and some theatrical displays from players like Vinicius Junior, whose dramatic antics were embarrassing at times at Anfield. Yet any evaluation of Bellingham free from partisan bias must recognize his efforts compensating for Vinicius on the left flank.

He worked tirelessly without possession. Such reality should be fundamental to discussions about his England squad return and, more crucially for the team's World Cup prospects, his starting position. Those promoting negative views of Bellingham claim he's not a team player. But 90 exhausting minutes against Liverpool demonstrated Bellingham's dedication to the group. None of Real's outfield players delivered a more unselfish performance.

💬 @BellinghamJude: "We'll concentrate on the positives, learn from the negatives and continue progressing." pic.twitter.com/eMWq9uyZcw

Proof existed throughout. Critics must have missed those match instances where Bellingham, assigned a challenging No. 10 role with defensive responsibilities, tracked back to pressure Hugo Ekitiké, stripped possession from Ibrahima Konaté and then pressed Mohamed Salah.

Bellingham had to retreat defensively, which he did eagerly, but this meant stretching into tackles from behind attempting to recover the ball from Liverpool attackers. When he fouled Ryan Gravenberch after an hour, he received a booking, and worsened his error by keeping Alexis Mac Allister onside as the Argentine connected with Dominik Szoboszlai's free-kick to secure victory.

Despite facing Liverpool's relentless pressing that sometimes resembled suffocation, Bellingham still created Real's finest opportunity. Just before halftime, he feinted to cut inside past Konaté onto his right foot, went outside and fired low with his left. Giorgi Mamardashvili made the save at his near post.

So on a disappointing evening for Real, when nobody met expectations except the exceptional Thibaut Courtois in goal, only Bellingham among the outfield players can look back with any satisfaction on their performance. But it didn't transform a sad song into something better.