Garth Crooks has reiterated his stance on BBC Sport that Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse is good enough to play for Liverpool.
Writing in his BBC Sport column, the former Tottenham Hotspur forward said that Ward-Prowse looks very much like a player who would succeed at Liverpool.
Crooks made the comments while explaining why he has included the 26-year-old midfielder in his BBC Premier League of the Week.
The England international provided an assist, as the Saints got the better of Fulham 3-1 at St. Mary’s Stadium in the Premier League at the weekend.
The midfielder also played well against Crystal Palace last Tuesday.
Crooks wrote on BBC Sport: “He was instrumental in everything Southampton did last Tuesday against Crystal Palace.
“Danny Ings and Che Adams may have got the goals that night but it is Ward-Prowse who makes my team.
“The Saints demolished the Eagles and then did the same to Fulham a few days later, with Adams, Nathan Tella and Theo Walcott scoring this time, and Ward-Prowse getting an assist.
“Ward-Prowse, in my opinion, has been Southampton’s player of the season. They will do well to keep him. He’s a Liverpool player if ever I saw one.”
This is not the first time that Crooks has said that Ward-Prowse would gel at Liverpool.
Back in March, Crooks wrote on BBC Sport: “It’s clear Georginio Wijnaldum is almost certain to leave Liverpool at the end of the season for Barcelona. I can’t think of a better replacement than Ward-Prowse.”
Georginio Wijnaldum is out of contract at Liverpool at the end of June.
There is no new deal in place, and it is very likely that the Netherlands international will leave Anfield.
That would create space in the Liverpool squad for a midfielder, and Ward-Prowse would not be a bad signing.
The midfielder scores goals, creates chances, is brilliant from set pieces, and knows the Premier League inside out.
The 26-year-old has scored eight goals and provided seven assists in 36 Premier League matches this season.
During the 2019-20 campaign, the England international scored five goals and gave three assists in the league, while in 2018-19, he found the back of the net seven times in the Premier League.
Ward-Prowse is at the right age to take the next step in his career, and a move to Liverpool could appeal to him.
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