Liverpool, after winning the Premier League in Arne Slot‘s sophomore season (2024/25) with four matches to spare, have struggled to match their title-winning form this time around and Jamie Carragher has named a ‘fantastic’ player – who joined their domestic rivals instead – he wishes the Reds had signed years ago.
Not afraid to plaster his opinions, whether you agree with them or not, on social media and in the media sphere, Carragher’s made-for-consumption personality has established him as one of the best football pundits on television, though that does always come with a certain affinity towards the Reds.
Understandably, a club he played 737 times for throughout his playing days will always be kept close to his heart – but the centre-back-turned-pundit recently insisted that Liverpool should’ve been quicker to recruit in the summer of 2023 when one of the finest players in England’s top flight moved for top dollar.
Jamie Carragher Names Rival Player Liverpool Should’ve Signed in 2023
Throughout the Jurgen Klopp era, Liverpool’s recruitment was forward-thinking and sharp: the Merseyside club tended to shy away from coughing up lots of money for players, but that has somewhat changed in recent years. In fact, the summer just gone saw the arrivals of Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak for mega money, while Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez were also added to the squad to improve their strength in the full-back positions.
This summer, however, should be spent revitalising the Liverpool engine room in the eyes of Carragher. “Curtis Jones and Alexis Mac Allister are really good players, but it ends up with two or three players who do not have great physicality in there,” he said before comparing Liverpool’s midfielders to that of Arsenal’s Declan Rice.
“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 need. 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. Declan has the set pieces, too.
“I actually don’t think we still give him enough praise,” the former defender said. “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.”
Carragher then sighed, according to The Athletic, after remembering that Liverpool didn’t go full steam ahead when he was leaving West Ham United in the summer of 2023. Arsenal, instead, shelled out north of £100 million for the Englishman – who is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in world football – and he’s been a revelation since.
“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.
25/26 Premier League Stats – Rice vs Liverpool Midfielders
Statistic
Declan Rice
Alexis Mac Allister
Curtis Jones
Ryan Gravenberch
Minutes
1879
1466
1087
1850
Goals/Assists
4/3
0/2
0/1
4/2
Shots per Match
1.5
1.4
0.7
1.1
Pass Success Rate (%)
89.3
86.7
92.1
90.3
Tackles per Match
1.8
1.1
1
1.7
Key Passes per Match
1.9
0.7
0.8
1.1
Overall Rating
7.33
6.47
6.53
7.03
“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. For me, he’s Player of the Year this year, especially if Arsenal win the league. Then he will get the real love he deserves, and hopefully he will go and have a great World Cup (with England), too,” Carragher concluded.
Just How Good is Declan Rice?
To get the clear and obvious out of the way: Rice, 27, is up there with the very best central midfielders on the planet. Upon his cross-London switch two-and-a-half years ago, he operated as a more traditional holding midfielder – but his box-to-box presence has been lapped up by Mikel Arteta and the Emirates Stadium faithful. He’s taken his game to another level with Arsenal and England being the primary beneficiaries of his transition.
Martin Zubimendi‘s arrival from Real Sociedad in the summer just gone has allowed the former Chelsea academy prospect to maraud further forward and join up on delivering balls into the box and latching onto the end of passes into the box.
While there is no argument of his status in the Premier League, there are plenty of other engine room patrollers in world football who can rival the ex-West Ham captain. Should he spearhead England to 2026 World Cup glory this summer, nobody could have qualms over his name in the conversations.
Florian Wirtz, Bruno Fernandes and Martin Odegaard all feature in the Premier League’s top 20 midfielders right now.
An indispensable figure under Arteta and his entourage, Rice is one of the main driving forces behind his side’s title push this season and the parameters beyond the eye test prove that he is capable of going toe-to-toe with the creme de la creme. Silverware, of course, is missing from the midfielder’s trophy cabinet, but his all-round ability cannot be ignored.
All statistics per WhoScored – correct as of 28/01/2026
Kate Mason is joined by Ben Jacobs for a live edition of Market Madness, breaking down the latest chaos in the transfer market and all the biggest stories from across football.
Journalist, author and host of The Athletic’s Walk On podcast, Tony Evans, joins live to discuss a huge summer at Liverpool, including:
– Arne Slot’s departure — the right call or too soon?
– Andoni Iraola’s potential arrival
– Where Liverpool’s season went wrong
– Key areas to strengthen and possible transfer targets
Plus, Ben brings the latest breaking transfer news and answers your questions in his weekly mailbag.
We also hear from England legend Jill Scott ahead of her Sport Relief challenge, as she reflects on life after football and gives her thoughts on the Lionesses’ chances at the upcoming World Cup.
It’s widely understood that Spanish giants Real Madrid have agreed a contract with Jose Mourinho to become their next manager. Once this news is officially confirmed, it won’t take long before the Portuguese coach starts pushing for some key transfers.
He is set to return to the Spanish capital for the second time in his career, having left way back in 2013, after three seasons in which he won both La Liga and the Copa del Rey. Mourinho spent last season at Benfica, where he went unbeaten in the league, but only finished third.
With Madrid, the 63-year-old arrives at a club in chaos after a trophyless season saw Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa struggle to deal with the big superstars in the dressing room. Mourinho is unlikely to be concerned by the big egos in the squad. However, one of his first key transfer targets isn’t quite the usual Galactico fans might expect.
Mourinho Wants Relegated Premier League Star
One of the defining dramas of the season for Madrid last season was Aurelien Tchouameni’s dramatic clash with Fede Valverde, which saw the Uruguayan hospitalised and both men fined for their antics. If Mourinho wants to calm the dressing room, he could look to offload one.
Indeed, according to journalist Ramon Alvarez, Mourinho ‘has told’ Real Madrid that he would like the club to sign West Ham United ace Mateus Fernandes this summer. The Hammers need to sell their most valuable assets this summer after being relegated, and the midfielder is of interest to a number of clubs.
Premier League sides Arsenal and Manchester United have been strongly linked with the former Southampton star in the past few weeks, amid talk that any transfer could cost as much as £80m. Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain are also interested in Fernandes.
Rodri Also Linked With Madrid Interest
It’s worth noting that even if Tchouameni stays, Dani Ceballos wants to leave and Madrid are willing to let him go. His contract expires in 2027, so an exit this summer makes sense as they could still bring in a fee for the 29-year-old.
As such, Mourinho will likely want a midfield reinforcement regardless. One other name to be linked, beyond Fernandes, is Manchester City midfielder Rodri. The Spain international, 29, is heading into the final year of his Man City contract, and it remains to be seen if he will hang around or follow Pep Guardiola out of the exit door.
Reports claim that Mourinho is ‘very keen’ on bringing Rodri to Madrid. That said, having seen their manager depart, the Premier League club will be reluctant to lose another experienced head on the pitch, with Bernardo Silva and John Stones also confirming their exits this summer.
Manchester United are plotting a move to sign another Brazilian ‘superstar’ after reaching a full agreement for Atalanta midfielder Ederson, according to CaughtOffside.
Man United have been tracking Ederson all summer and they have now finalised an agreement with the Serie A outfit to bring him to the Premier League, having already agreed personal terms on a four-year deal, with the option of a further 12 months.
The Brazilian has been signed for under £40m having had only a year remaining on his deal with the Bergamo-based outfit, with a move set to be completed at the beginning of July.
The Red Devils are clearly wasting no time in their bid to strengthen Michael Carrick’s squad ahead of more fixtures for the team next season, after they sealed their return to Champions League football.
United have a primary focus on central midfield, with up to two more players expected to follow Ederson in if Manuel Ugarte joins Casemiro in leaving Old Trafford.
They will look at other positions on the pitch too, especially if certain players leave, with one of those expected to be on the wings should Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho depart the club.
Carrick currently has Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo to choose from, but they could probably do with another option for the more congested fixture list.
Man United Considering Signing William Gomes
According to CaughtOffside, Manchester United are among many Premier League clubs considering making a summer move for Porto winger William Gomes.
Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle are also keen on the Brazilian ‘superstar’, who has a €80m (£70m) release clause written into his contract with the Portuguese giants.
Porto have no intention of selling the 20-year-old and would demand a major offer before even considering entering exit talks.
One report in England claimed that United have already sent an official to Portugal to discuss a deal for the right-sided winger, but there has been no formal bid yet.
Gomes ended the 2025-26 season with eight goals and one assist in 28 league appearances for Porto.
Man United Also Eyeing Yan Diomande Move
According to Sky Sports, United are also one of the clubs monitoring another in-demand right-winger in RB Leipzig sensation Yan Diomande.
The Ivory Coast international is another young player who enjoyed a breakthrough season for his club, scoring 13 goals and registering a further 10 assists despite being just 19 years of age.
Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain appear to be the frontrunners for the exciting forward’s signature as things stand, with the former said to be determined to land him before the World Cup kicks off on June 11.
Rated at £87m, the price tag could prove to be impossible for United to pay given the focus on rebuilding their midfield, but he is clearly a player with a huge future ahead of him in the game.
United are also said to be looking at Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers, according to GIVEMESPORT sources, with Michael Carrick and Jason Wilcox both working with him before and being huge admirers of him.
