Liverpool want Declan Rice; Paul Merson once said he was better than Henderson

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Liverpool are said to be in the hunt to sign Declan Rice this summer, and Paul Merson once claimed one aspect of his game was better than Jordan Henderson’s.

The Reds are said to have initiated early talks with Rice’s agents, per Ian McGarry on the Transfer Window Podcast.

Rice would cost a big fee, with £80m the regular number touted about whenever fresh interest seems to emerge in the West Ham star.

However, it could prove money well spent for the Reds. Jurgen Klopp is expected to sign a new midfielder in the summer, with Gini Wijnaldum looking increasingly likely to leave the club.

And it could prove a fine signing if Paul Merson’s previous comments are anything to go by following an England clash with Montenegro back in 2019.

“It’s the hardest thing in football for a midfielder to keep it simple and not get carried away when you play in that position,” Merson told the Daily Star.

“So many midfielders start off well, winning the ball and playing it simple, and then they get carried away and start trying to spray Hollywood passes everywhere. Jordan Henderson does it all the time. But not Declan Rice. He just kept getting it and giving it. He always found the right pass.

“That shows massive maturity for someone so young. It was really impressive.”

Whether Liverpool do indeed move for impressive Hammers star remains to be seen. Indeed, West Ham could qualify for Europe themselves, meaning Rice could be inclined to stay. Further, the Reds didn’t spend big in January, highlighting potential cash-flow problems.

TBR View: Rice is brilliant but is slightly different to Henderson in fairness

Both England men do a job for their team that involves breaking play up and winning the ball. But there is a slight difference, given the sheer energy Henderson brings to Liverpool’s team.

Rice doesn’t quite play with the same intensity, which perhaps allows for him to keep that cooler head and play simpler passes.

Rest assured though, Rice is a fine player and Merson was rightfully impressed by his performance that day.