Liverpool legend John Barnes believes his old side should sign West Ham midfielder in the summer.
international Rice has become one of the hottest properties in the Premier League since breaking into the Hammers’ first team in 2017 and is being tracked closely by and .
However, Barnes – who spent 10 seasons at Anfield between 1987 and 1997 – thinks Liverpool should enter the race for Rice as his qualities match what they look for in a midfielder.
Speaking to , he said: ‘Declan Rice would suit the Liverpool midfield. He’s strong and hard working and can cover for Alexander-Arnold and Robertson.
‘Rice would fit the profile of what Liverpool want. He’s a hard-working, strong midfield player who can win tackles, break things up, defend well, and that’s the profile they look for.
‘He probably wouldn’t suit a team like Man City, but he can break the game up, cover the full backs if they go up and down, so he would suit Liverpool.
‘But he’s at West Ham and Liverpool haven’t made a bid for him, so it’s speculation. If it happens it’s a great acquisition.’
Rice has been at the centre of multiple transfer rumours in recent seasons. Last year, West Ham manager David Moyes suggested the 23-year-old was available for a fee in the region of £100million.
But the Scotsman, who is reluctant to let Rice leave, has since gone on record saying that figure was a ‘bargain’ and has told potential suitors that his vice-captain will now cost upwards of £150million.
‘The first thing to say is that he is not for sale,’ Moyes said last month. ‘If you are interested, well, it will be north of that. One hundred was cheap last summer.
‘One hundred and fifty just now would be minimum but he is not for sale. What I do know is that it means there are only certain clubs that could even consider it.’
Rice, who has formed a strong partnership with Tomas Soucek in midfield, has played a significant part in West Ham’s run to the Europa League quarter-finals this season.
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