Declan Rice put in an impressive performance for Arsenal at Anfield on Saturday (Picture: Getty Images)
Danny Murphy reckons Liverpool would be on course to the Premier League title this season if they had Arsenal star Declan Rice in their midfield.
Rice was a key man for the Gunners as they picked up a 1-1 draw at Anfield on Saturday evening, keeping Mikel Arteta’s side top of the Premier League table going into Christmas.
Murphy was thoroughly impressed with the England midfielder, and with Arsenal centre-back William Saliba who stood out in the entertaining contest.
The former Liverpool midfielder reckons Rice is a role model to anyone looking to play in his position and would be the difference between a title challenge and Premier League glory for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
‘If there’s any young holding midfielder out there who wants to learn how to improve every aspect of their game, watch this match and follow Declan Rice. He was sensational,’ Murphy wrote for The Daily Mail.
‘This game showed me just how important Rice — and also William Saliba — are for Mikel Arteta. They are the two players he cannot do without if they are going to win the Premier League. With those two players in the side, they can get a result anywhere.
‘It also made me realise how much Liverpool need a player like him. If Rice wore a Liverpool shirt, I think they win the title. He’s that good.
Jurgen Klopp and Mikel Arteta had to share the spoils at Anfield (Picture: Getty Images)
‘He was phenomenal last night, in every aspect. His reading of the game, winning the ball, his positional play, keeping hold of the ball under pressure, playing through the lines. It was an all-round brilliant display.’
Murphy was also impressed, once again, with Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, who he thinks should be playing alongside Rice and Jude Bellingham in England’s midfield this summer.
‘A goal would have capped off what I thought was a brilliant display by Alexander-Arnold,’ he said. ‘His passing was outstanding, especially in the first half. His assist for Mo Salah’s goal was a pass that only a few people in world football can play.
‘He is the perfect player to fill that vacant midfield slot in the England team alongside Rice and Jude Bellingham. No one else can do what he can from there. We don’t want to stay in the tournament next summer, we want to win it.’
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‘It made me realise how much Liverpool need a player like him.’