Former Liverpool star Danny Murphy has suggested that Declan Rice could be an ideal replacement for Jordan Henderson.
The Reds were tentatively linked in the latter stages of the summer transfer window. However, those rumours did not go much further than pure speculation and the player remained at West Ham.
Henderson is in his 12th season as a Liverpool player, following his move from Sunderland in 2011. Rice is in his first season as West Ham captain, following the departure of Mark Noble at the end of last season.
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Murphy has claimed that Rice would be a good fit for Liverpool’s midfield, and suggested that he would be an ideal replacement for Henderson.
“(Tony) Cascarino is right in his opinion that Declan Rice would be a great centre-half, but you would lose what he gives you in midfield,” Murphy told Talksport .
“I actually think in a better team he will end up playing further forward in midfield and get you 10 or 15 goals a season.
“I actually think he will get double figure goals and assists. He’s got everything.
“He has to play deeper here and with England because we don’t have anyone who can do that. West Ham don’t have anyone else who can spot danger like him.
“When Steven Gerrard came on the scene at Liverpool, he was touted as a number four, a holding midfielder.
“He ended up being a number 10 and a central midfielder who won games.
“I think Declan could become the number eight of any side. Can you imagine him in a side with Rodri and De Bruyne.
“Could you imagine him in Liverpool’s side?”
Murphy added: “To establish himself in the perfect midfield position with someone doing more of the dogged work for him then yes [he will have to go]. Or they bring someone else to do it here.
“If he was playing ahead of Fabinho and alongside Thiago, and he took Henderson’s place at Liverpool. Imagine him in that role, he’d get you goals.
“Imagine him alongside Rodri and De Bruyne. He’d get you 10 or 15 goals. He’s got good feet, a good shot.
“He likes little one-twos in the box. I think he’s a dynamic midfielder and if he had more licence and would get more goals.
“He could play centre-back, but it would be a waste.”
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