Glen Johnson urges Liverpool to make a move for €75 million Premier League midfielder

Former Red Glen Johnson has urged Liverpool to make a move for West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice.

The 37-year-old said that the Englishman would provide good protection for Jurgen Klopp's defence.

Johnson further implied that Rice could also play a box-to-box role for Liverpool due to his engine.

Rice's contract expires in June 2024. The midfielder possesses a current market value of €75 million.

As quoted by Anfield Watch's Twitter account, Johnson told Squawka the following: “I think he could be that anchor man that every top team has. “Although I would sign him to sit in midfield, he's actually got a good engine and good legs as well so he can certainly get around the park. But I'd be signing him just to let him sit and be the triangle between the two centre-halves and the triangle in front of him."

Anfield Watch Verdict

Rice is a fine player. The midfielder has been averaging a WhoScored player rating of 7.22 across the 2021-22 Premier League campaign.

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel had plenty of good things to say about Rice at the backend of last year.

As quoted by Metro, the 48-year-old said the following: "He’s a very strong player and in general, I am absolutely impressed by [Tomas] Soucek and him, what they do since I came into the Premier League. What they do for West Ham.

"They are real helpers on the pitch, they have an incredible volume both of them.

"They take responsibility for high pressing, for deep defending, for filling the gaps on the wings, for deep build-up, for goals from set-pieces. Both of them are simply doing everything."

Rice is a reasonably experienced player. The midfielder has made 174 appearances for West Ham United's first-team.

Rice is only 23 years of age, which does suggest that he still has plenty of room left for improvement. The Englishman could play in Liverpool's midfield for around a decade.

Therefore, we would love to see the club make a move for the midfielder in the near future. But, only time will tell if Liverpool are genuinely interested in signing Rice.