Liverpool have been linked with a host of potential new midfielders over the past 12 months or so.
The Reds are likely to be in the market for a new midfielder either in the January transfer window, or next summer, as Jurgen Klopp begins to reshape his squad. The only player of that ilk that has arrived over the past year is Arthur Melo on loan from Juventus.
One such player who has been linked with a move to Liverpool in recent months is Declan Rice. The West Ham midfielder is currently away with England for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
READ MORE: Fast-tracked Liverpool winger ready to take 'big step' after major injury problem
Earlier this week, Rice addressed his future where he refused to rule out a move away from West Ham over the next few months. As well as Liverpool, Chelsea have also been credited with an interest in the 23-year-old.
As speculation continues to swirl around Rice’s future, a lot has been said about the midfielder. Here, we take a look at what pundits have said about the apparent Liverpool target over the last couple of months.
Ally McCoist
“Can he go back to Chelsea? That would be an obvious one,” McCoist told Talksport.
“We keep talking about the Liverpool midfield and needing strengthening, we've been saying it for a long, long time, we're talking they should be going for Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice would be an obvious one as well but the similar players are not the same.
“I can see Declan Rice maybe going back to Chelsea.
Simon Jordan
“I’m underwhelmed by Declan Rice [at the World Cup],” Jordan told Talksport. “I think he’s a very good player but I’m trying to work out what a £100m player should look like.
“And I think it should look a little more compelling than what he’s showing. But that may just be because he’s asked to play a certain way.
“There’s a rumour going around here that eventually, Declan Rice is going to pass a ball forward in this tournament.”
Jamie Redknapp
“James Milner, Jordan Henderson, Thiago… they’re not young men in the engine room,” Redknapp told Sky Sports.
"I think they may need to add one or two to take the burden off them. Of course, they’ve had injuries as well, that hasn’t helped.
“The dream for all Liverpool fans, and the Premier League to some extent, would be for Jude Bellingham to come. He’d be the person who would fit into that midfield. He’s a generational player, an incredible footballer. Jurgen Klopp, I’d imagine, has his heart set on him. He can do everything in that area.
“But if you can’t get him, who is the other one? Declan Rice in the summer may be an option. They’ve got to be in the market for someone like him as well. That area is definitely getting tired. The legs aren’t there, which we’ve been so used to seeing.
“We have all got so much respect for the manager but he’s searching for the right recipe. The right areas in midfield to make things happen again.”
Ray Parlour
“I don’t think they (Arsenal) will have that sort of money,” Parlour told Talksport .
“I think Tielemans is coming to the end of his contract, isn’t he? So you might be able to get him for a little bit cheaper than Declan Rice.
“I am amazed, that’s where Liverpool need to go and try and get Declan Rice.
“Imagine getting Bellingham and Rice, that could be where they challenge for the title again.”
Danny Murphy
“(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.”
Didi Hamann
“Danny Murphy is right to suggest Declan Rice is a very capable player,” Hamann told Boyle Sports.
“But I think it depends on how Fabinho comes back into the season because he's been really disappointing but he's a really brilliant player
“I would like Liverpool to sign someone a bit more adventurous, someone like Joelinton from Newcastle who has a physical presence can get you a goal and he has the full package. A player like him would suit Liverpool down to the ground.”
READ NEXT:
- 'As bad as it sounds' - Trent Alexander-Arnold makes 'absolutely gutted' Sadio Mane admission
- Liverpool takeover latest as FSG sale preference emerges with 'buyers' listed
- Liverpool linked with Julian Ward 'replacement' responsible for some of Jurgen Klopp's best ever signings
- 'Keep them to yourself' - Liverpool legend Graeme Souness slams 'totally unnecessary' Kevin de Bruyne comments
- Liverpool told Mohammed Kudus is ready for 'big club' amid transfer links
