Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has said that his old club missed out on signing Declan Rice when they had the chance, calling the Arsenal midfielder a “brilliant” player Liverpool ought to have brought to Anfield.
Gerrard, speaking on The Smiths Brothers Podcast, singled out Rice as a midfield talent. He believes Rice would have strengthened Liverpool’s squad significantly had they pursued him when he left West Ham United in 2023.
“He’s maybe one we should have tried to grab from West Ham,” Gerrard said. “I don’t know whether we did or not, but I think he’d have been brilliant for us. Imagine him in midfield now.”
Rice joined Arsenal in the summer of 2023 for a fee reported at around £100 million. This made him one of the most expensive English players ever.
Since then, he has been a pivotal figure in Mikel Arteta’s midfield. He is starting regularly and helping drive Arsenal’s title challenge, a form that has not gone unnoticed by rivals or former stars. Gerrard’s comments highlight how highly he rates Rice’s influence and value to a top-level midfield.
Liverpool’s midfield has undergone changes in recent seasons, with investments in players like Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch. But Gerrard seems to feel that had Rice been targeted and signed, Liverpool’s midfield balance might have looked very different. This is relevant even if that would have impacted other areas of their recruitment.
Rice’s move from West Ham to Arsenal has seen him transition from a primarily defensive anchor into a more complete midfielder. He has been praised for his tackling, positioning and growing ability to influence play further up the pitch. These are attributes that fit well with Arsenal’s more dynamic, possession-oriented style.
His standing in the Premier League has been boosted by both club performances and wider pundit recognition. With some voices even placing him among the league’s elite midfielders.Some voices even place him among the league’s elite midfielders.
For Liverpool fans, Gerrard’s comments are likely to spark debate given his legendary status at Anfield. Many would question whether signing Rice and the cost involved would have limited other transfers or affected squad balance. Gerrard himself acknowledges that such decisions are complex, but his admiration for Rice’s qualities is clear.
Whether Rice would have flourished at Liverpool is speculative. But for now, his impact at Arsenal and Gerrard’s praise underline how much respect he has earned across the Premier League.
