Liverpool legend John Barnes reckons Declan Rice could be an ideal signing this summer for Jurgen Klopp’s side who are on the lookout for a new midfielder.
The England midfielder Rice is widely expected to leave West Ham United at the end of the season and his departure is likely to spark off a transfer battle between some of the biggest clubs across the land.
Chelsea have been long-standing suitors for their former youth academy product but Graham Potter’s side have now been joined by Premier League leaders Arsenal in the chase for Rice’s signature ahead of the summer.
Barnes, however, has said that his old club Liverpool should move in for Rice who presents himself as a viable option to freshen things up in the midfield department for the Reds following their misfiring displays this season.
Speaking to BonusCodeBets, the ex-Liverpool winger suggested a move to Anfield could prove to be a great piece of business for both parties as Liverpool seek to reinforce their engine room sooner rather than later.
‘Jordan Henderson and James Milner are at an age that they can’t play every week.
‘Midfield is the obvious place where we need to improve. Long-term that’s where we’re going to have to look to get some bodies in. The Wijnaldum, Fabinho types.
‘Players like Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham are players that would fit into any team and fit into the type of players Liverpool want and need in midfield.
‘Hard-working midfield players that can defend as well as break forward. Those are two for me that would fit exactly what we want.
Any top four club in the Premier League would want Declan Rice. He would improve every top side in the league because he is the best defensive midfielder out there.
‘I think that Liverpool would be ideal for him because he is the player that they actually need. So he knows that he will get a very important role on the team.
‘But of course, Chelsea, Man United and Arsenal would also love to have him in their squad, so he will have a lot of options when he is going to pick his next club.’
