Pundit Danny Murphy has claimed Liverpool should sign West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice alongside Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham.
Speaking on talkSPORT today, the former Reds player suggested the Merseyside outfit need more than the 19-year-old if they are to get back to where they should be.
“I think it would be stupid of me to not be shocked and surprised at how far they’ve come backwards in such a short space,” Murphy said. “We are talking about a team that was not far off winning a quadruple.
“They don’t look at it, they don’t look like they’ve got as much legs, that there’s much hunger.
“They’re missing players, look of course they are, but they had some of those players earlier in the season and the results were still the same.
“So, I think there’s a rebuild needed, if you like – when I say rebuild, I mean players out the door and a few more in.
“The midfield area is going to need freshening up. I think Simon alluded to being a good fit for Bellingham. I mean, I’d love that to happen because he is exactly what they need. But I don’t think they necessarily just need one; I think they probably need two.
“Ox is out of contract [and] I wouldn’t be surprised to see Keita go. Not sure Milner is going to stay another year; if he does, it won’t be playing much. There’s three midfielders, because Milner, when he does play, plays at full-back.
“I’d go for Bellingham and Rice. I think why not go hard or go home, like you said, but on two big ones rather than four or five. Rice and Bellingham walk into that Liverpool midfield with Thiago.”
Liverpool urged to sign Bellingham and Rice
As demonstrated by the World Cup, a midfield partnership of Bellingham and Rice works extremely well.
Add in Thiago for Henderson – who joined them for England – and then you have a brilliant midfield three.
The 19-year-old is Jurgen Klopp’s number one target going into the summer.
However, there has been a lack of talk surrounding additions in the defensive midfield role.
Fabinho has looked off the pace for a while now, so it would be wise to strengthen in that area.
Rice would be perfect for Liverpool, given his extensive experience in the Premier League.
Thereafter, the Reds could look for a long-term replacement for Thiago, who is turning 32 years old in April.
However, this is less urgent, meaning this would be a brilliant midfield three to line out with next season.