According to both Fabrizio Romano and David Ornstein, Liverpool are planning something interesting this summer, and if recent reports are to be believed, the interesting signing they’re planning to make could be Declan Rice.
Indeed, the Transfer Window Podcast, report that Liverpool have already been in contact with Rice’s agent, and there have also been other reports linking the Reds with a move for the England international.
Rice coming into Liverpool is an exciting prospect in itself, but what is even more exciting is the implications it may have on another of the Reds’ star men.
Indeed, Rice could perfectly compliment Thiago in the middle of the park next season.
Thiago has been excellent in spells with Liverpool this term, but he hasn’t lit up the Premier League in the way many expected him to, and that may be down to the fact he’s not been able to play alongside Liverpool’s first-choice midfielders this term.
Indeed, Jordan Henderson and Fabinho have both been tasked with playing centre-back far too often this term, and that’s meant that Thiago has been asked to play in a makeshift midfield that has seen him doing far too much defensive work and limiting what he can do on the ball.
Thiago’s best attribute is recycling possession and finding killer balls, but in the Premier League his pass accuracy percentage is the lowest it’s been in the league for five seasons, and he’s only averaging one key pass per 90.
His creativity has been stifled due to the fact Liverpool’s chief defensive midfielders have been needed elsewhere, but if Rice arrives, the Reds’ depth in that position would no longer be an issue, and that would give Thiago much more freedom to roam.
It’s great to see that Thiago has been making more tackles and interceptions per game this season than any other Liverpool player, but a player of his immense quality shouldn’t be tasked with doing so much dirty work.
He’s at his best when he can combine that with offensive freedom and exploiting gaps, but without adequate help in the defensive midfield department, he’s not been able to do that this season.
Rice’s arrival would immediately put a stop to that issue, and his arrival could be the key to unlocking Thiago’s true potential at Liverpool.
This is a signing Michael Edwards should seriously look at making for Jurgen Klopp.
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