Liverpool can no longer ignore Declan Rice as Jurgen Klopp knows his next transfer priority
With Jude Bellingham no longer in the game and Declan Rice due for a transfer this summer, Liverpool can no longer ignore the transfer recommendations given to them.
Liverpool may have secured their first signing this summer, but the job is far from done – in fact, it’s only just begun.
The Reds got off to the perfect start by signing Alexis Mac Allister in what could already be a transfer window affair. With Fabrizio Romano suggesting the deal could cost Liverpool as little as $44m (£35m/€41m), it’s sure to be tough for any of their rivals to beat that value- price.
But Jürgen Klopp and new sporting director Jörg Schmadtke still have a long way to go before they can declare their job done. The midfield is in need of further refreshment and Liverpool’s deteriorating defensive play needs to be addressed.
Even with a system change in the final run of the season, with the Reds unbeaten in 11 games and seemingly sorting out some of the problems going forward, there were still defensive problems, as evidenced by three goals conceded. Tottenham and four against Southampton.
A new defender obviously seems like the obvious solution, but the issue also needs to be looked at in midfield. Jude Bellingham has long been seen as the perfect all-round signing, but with Liverpool opting to pursue more signings, the Borussia Dortmund superstar looks set for Real Madrid instead (via BBC Sport).
But what about his England teammate Declan Rice? Having led West Ham to their first major silverware in 43 years by winning the Europa Conference League, the 24-year-old looks set to leave the club. Hammers owner David Sullivan confirms to TalkSPORT that he expects the midfielder to continue this summer.
It’s an option that has previously been touted for Liverpool, with ex-Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino even suggesting the Reds should attack Rice instead of Bellingham earlier this year.
“If the option is between Bellingham and Rice, Liverpool should opt for the latter,” he told the Times. “Bellingham is an excellent player, but Rice solves the problems that Liverpool have. He would provide a platform for those around him to shine. “Fabinho and Jordan Henderson lacked pace, with their ability to run the ball, make tackles and interceptions. As a result, Liverpool’s midfield was easy to get through, but Rice is not a player opponents let pass him often. ”
Cascarino’s assessment was spot on in terms of Liverpool’s predominant problems this season, but he has done Bellingham a disservice given his defensive activity.
But with Bellingham now out of contention and Rice set to leave West Ham, Liverpool may no longer be able to ignore the latter.
There’s the matter of Rice’s price, of course, as West Ham could demand a whopping $151m (£120m/€140m) which could make him even more expensive than Bellingham, but there’s no it is doubtful that Liverpool now a player with his skills, and especially his defensive skills.
Rice may not necessarily be the answer, but he can certainly point Liverpool to the solution.
