Danny Murphy has urged Liverpool to go ‘all out’ to sign either Declan Rice or Kalvin Phillips this summer.
Speaking to TalkSPORT, the former Liverpool midfielder said he thinks The Reds need a midfielder in the transfer window. As a result, Murphy thinks both Rice and Phillips should be at the top of Jurgen Klopp’s transfer wish list.
“That midfield three of Thiago, Fabinho, Henderson is phenomenal. But Thiago does struggle with injuries and you can’t expect Jordan to keep playing 45, 50 games, he’s in his thirties now,” said the pundit.
“I’d be going all out for Rice or Phillips. English, hungry, someone you know is going to be around a long time, gets it, can come in and hit the ground running. That’s where I’d be looking.”
That Liverpool could do with another midfielder isn’t up for much debate. Whether either of the players Murphy mentions are the answer very much is.
Better options elsewhere
Rice and Phillips are both very decent midfielders. They both currently start for the England national team ahead of Liverpool’s captain.
UEFA MUST STOP! NEW CHAMPIONS LEAGUE COULD RUIN FOOTBALL
However, they are playing for similar sized, middle of the pack type clubs in the Premier League. Rice has good experience playing in Europe for West Ham United this season, but has never played to the level Liverpool do.
Phillips has even less experience having spent most of his career in the Championship with Leeds United.
For the price that both players would cost, Liverpool would be expecting to get a ready-made, top level midfielder.
Instead, they would likely have to be patient as either player got used to the demands of a title-chasing team.
It could be argued that the same would apply to a signing like Aurelien Tchouameni. Additionally, the Frenchman would also have to adjust to the Premier League.
However, Tchouameni has been a standout talent in France for the last couple of years. For all their qualities, Rice and Phillips in particular don’t look to be quite on the same level.
There is rumoured to be interest in Phillips, but we’d be surprised if Liverpool were to pursue either player with any real purpose.