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Jamie Carragher feels the most crucial thing for Liverpool to do next summer is sign the right type of central midfielder - but they've already missed out on the perfect option in Declan Rice.

The Reds have endured a significant drop-off this season after winning the Premier League title during Arne Slot's maiden year at the helm. They are currently 14 points behind the league leaders, Arsenal, back in sixth place, making it highly doubtful they will be able to retain their domestic crown.

Several poor results, combined with lacklustre performances, have left many debating Slot's position, as well as scrutinising the club's summer transfer business after spending in excess of £450million on new signings, including £100m-plus deals on Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak.

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Carragher is of the opinion that the most important thing Liverpool can do in the next summer transfer window is sign a midfielder to compliment their current options. And he feels Rice, who has taken his game to new heights since joining Arsenal for £105million two-and-a-half years ago, is the blueprint to follow.

“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,” Carragher told The Athletic. “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. 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 went on to bemoan Liverpool and their failure to try and sign Rice back in the summer of 2023; a time where the Reds were expected to revamp their midfielder with the departures of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho.

“Why Liverpool didn’t go for him,” he added. “My argument at the time was you buy one player [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, too.”

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