Newcastle United full-back Kieran Trippier has hailed the ability of reported Liverpool transfer target Declan Rice.
Rice looks set to leave West Ham United this summer, with Liverpool said to be one of the clubs in the picture. The race is likely to be a crowded one though, as one of the best midfielders in the country becomes available.
Some may still query the quality of Rice, having not played at the top-level for his club. But speaking to Rio Ferdinand’s Vibe With Five podcast, it’s clear what Trippier thinks of his England teammate.
“Declan’s unbelievable. I don’t know if you watched the game the other night when we played West Ham, but just his intelligence, the way he breaks up play, how he travels with it, how powerful. Unbelievable. Probably one of the best in the world at what he does,” said the Newcastle defender.
That answer was actually in response to Ferdinand’s question over who is the better player – Rice or Arsenal’s Thomas Partey. Trippier opted unequivocally for the Englishman.
The 32-year-old failed to separate Partey and Casemiro in an earlier question. As a result, it seems Trippier rates Rice even higher than Manchester United’s 5-time Champions League winning Brazilian. High praise.
Liverpool still in Rice race
With Liverpool searching for midfield options, Rice is surely one of the leading candidates.
After so long at West Ham, it looks like the 24-year-old will join a top club as a fully formed elite-level player.
Unfortunately, that kind of talent comes at a cost. West Ham boss David Moyes has been bullish about his club’s chances of landing over £100m for the England international. In today’s market, that seems like a possibility, too.
If Rice does end up pulling in nine figures, there doesn’t seem too much hope for Liverpool. Despite that, it’s been claimed as recently as last night that the Reds are ‘really interested’ in his signing.
Given the fee involved, it’s likely that Rice would have to be a back-up plan to top target Jude Bellingham. There’s a very strong argument that Liverpool could actually do with both players. But realistically, it’s one or other. Even that could be a bit of a stretch.
As a result, most Liverpool supporters would be fine on missing out on Rice, if it means Bellingham ends up joining. As Trippier alludes to though, whoever prises him away from the London Stadium is getting a ready-made midfielder who can do it all.