Peter Crouch believes West Ham United captain Declan Rice should be next on Liverpool's radar following the signing of Alexis Mac Allister last week.
The Reds kicked off their summer business with a £35m move for Mac Allister after triggering the World Cup winner's release clause at Brighton & Hove Albion and he has joined on a five-year deal, which was officially confirmed on Thursday.
Mac Allister is the first significant piece of business in a summer that is expected to feature a midfield rebuild following the departures of James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita. And former Reds striker Crouch believes England international Rice, who is wanted by Arsenal, would be an ideal signing.
Crouch, who won the 2006 FA Cup with Liverpool, described the Hammers star as a "class act" and while he admits Rice would come at a premium, the former England international thinks he would add a huge injection of quality at Anfield.
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In a chat with Paddy Power, Crouch said: "Alexis Mac Allister is a good signing for Liverpool. He’s a great player but the fans will want more signings before next season. Defensive reinforcements and another midfielder would be welcome.
“I know he’s being linked elsewhere but I’d absolutely love to see Declan Rice come in as well. He’s a class act and I think he could go to any club and be a great signing for them. It probably won’t be Liverpool as he’s going to be very expensive, but it would be a great addition.
“I was delighted to see him pick up the Europa Conference League trophy with West Ham. People sniff at the competition, but I thought it was brilliant and you’ve seen the scenes – the players, the fans, the manager, they absolutely loved it. I was so pleased for them.”
The Reds moved quickly to secure Mac Allister's signature less than two weeks after the Premier League season had ended and attention has now turned elsewhere as new sporting director Jorg Schmadtke gets to work after succeeding Julian Ward at the start of the month.
Liverpool are continuing to assess their options with regards to a midfield overhaul with France international Khephren Thuram of Nice and Borussia Monchengladbach's Manu Kone on the shortlist alongside Bayern Munich's Ryan Gravenberch. Mason Mount had been a target but the Chelsea midfielder appears to be edging closer to a Manchester United switch according to recent reports in the national press.
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