Danny Murphy is urging Premieir League giants Liverpool to target a stunning double deal for West Ham’s Declan Rice and Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham even if the duo are likely to set Jurgen Klopp back around £160 million, speaking to talkSPORT (1 February, 12.50pm).
How many members of this current Liverpool squad can genuinely claim to be in their prime? There is a throng of ageing 30-year-olds and a gaggle of exciting up-and-comers, but a serious absence of players at the peak of their powers.
Just look at Jurgen Klopp’s midfield options. You’ve got Jordan Henderson, Thiago Alcantara, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all aged between 29 and 37. Harvey Elliott and Stefan Bajcetic, meanwhile, are still teenagers, and not yet at the level where they can be relied upon consistently, week-in, week-out.
No wonder Klopp is prioritising a new, high-class central midfielder over the summer (The Athletic); one capable of storming into the starting XI and immediately stamping his authority on the hallowed Anfield turf.
But Murphy, who believes Liverpool need to invest around £200 million on replenishing their ranks, believes just one new addition may not be enough.
Can Liverpool afford both Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham?
“The midfield needs freshening up. I would love Bellingham to happen because he is exactly what Liverpool need. But I don’t think they just need one. I think they probably need two,” says the 2001 UEFA Cup and FA Cup winner.
“I’d go for Bellingham and Rice. I’d try and get them both.
“I don’t think they need anyone up front. You’ve got four centre-halves who (Klopp) quite likes, and they’re all on long-term contracts. Maybe a full-back, you could argue (is needed). But not a centre-back.
“So I think why not go hard or go home on two big ones, rather than four or five? Rice and Bellingham walking into that midfield with Thiago… (Bellingham) is a superstar.”
According to The Sun, Dortmund want £100 million up front for former Birmingham City wonderkid Bellingham. The Mirror, meanwhile, believe Rice could be snapped up for a knock-down fee of £60 million. Come the summer, he will have just 12 months left on his West Ham contract.
Bellingham and Rice have already proven that they are capable of forming a formidable midfield partnership, shining as Gareth Southgate’s England made a splash at the Qatar World Cup. It remains to be seen, however, if Liverpool’s under-fire American owners have the ambition or indeed the funds to go all-in on Bellingham or Rice, let alone both.
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