Jamie Carragher has admitted that he regrets Liverpool not pushing harder to sign Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice back in 2023.
Rice has become one of the best midfielders in world football, and Carragher believes he would fix many of the Reds’ current issues in the middle of the park.
If Declan Rice was worth £105m in 2023, what would his value be in 2026?
This season, the 26-year-old has elevated his game to the next level, alongside Martin Zubimendi in Arsenal’s midfield.
Now, the former Liverpool defender has been speaking about how the club missed out on his signature back in 2023 and thinks it was a huge mistake.
Jamie Carragher compares Declan Rice to Roy Keane
Jamie Carragher has just compared Declan Rice to Roy Keane, given the way the Arsenal midfielder can do a bit of everything.
Arsenal paid £105m for Rice back in 2023, winning the race ahead of Liverpool to bring him to the Emirates Stadium.
Meanwhile, last summer, Arsenal also beat Liverpool to sign Zubimendi, but Carragher says Rice is the player he regrets missing out on the most.
“The one who stands out every time I watch him play is Declan Rice. What a player, honest to god. That’s exactly what Liverpool needs,” Carragher told The Athletic.
For me, he is the modern-day Roy Keane. I don’t think he’s a Stevie Gerrard, because Stevie was more attacking. Roy did a bit of everything; press high, get the ball off the back four, everything.
Finish the sentance: Declan Rice most reminds me of _____________________
Do you agree with Yaya Toure or is there another legendary midfielder instead?
“Declan has the set pieces, too. I actually don’t think we still give him enough praise. It always feels like there’s a but with him. His passing is fantastic. No one can run past him. His set-piece delivery is as good as anything in European football.
“Why Liverpool didn’t go for him… The summer he was available (when Arsenal bought him from West Ham in July 2023), was the summer we were going to get rid of (veteran midfield duo) Jordan Henderson and Fabinho.
“My argument at the time was you buy one player (in Rice) to replace two, because he could do both the Fabinho role and also the Henderson one, pressing high, as he shows for Arsenal. Oh god, I’d have loved to have got him in a Liverpool shirt.”
Fortunately for Arsenal, he is wearing their colours instead and is now set to play a key part in stealing Liverpool’s Premier League title this season.
Declan Rice suspended for Arsenal vs Kairat
Rice will miss Arsenal’s final Champions League group stage match against Kairat due to suspension.
The midfielder came off the bench against Inter Milan in stoppage time and was shown a yellow card.
This is great news for Arteta as he will be able to rest the 26-year-old on Wednesday, and he will also have a clean slate for the knockout stages.
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