“He’s the Modern Day Roy Keane” – Jamie Carragher Wishes Liverpool Signed Declan Rice

Jamie Carragher believes Liverpool missed a huge opportunity by failing to sign Declan Rice.

As questions grow around Liverpool’s midfield balance, Carragher sees the Arsenal star as the ideal player Arne Slot needed to steady his side.

Jamie Carragher on Liverpool’s Midfield Problems

Liverpool’s season has fallen well short of expectations. After lifting the Premier League title in Arne Slot’s first year, the Reds now sit 14 points adrift of the top.

Despite heavy spending in the transfer market, performances have often lacked intensity and authority in central areas.

The first half of their season was characterised by chaotic end-to-end games and being too open defensively, whereas in recent months they’ve been criticised for being blunt in attack. It feels like Slot has overcorrected and has struggled to find the right balance.

Carragher believes that imbalance has been costly, particularly in matches where they’ve struggled to impose themselves physically – one of three flaws he believes Liverpool have.

“Curtis Jones and Alexis Mac Allister are really good players,” Carragher explained, “but it ends up with two or three players who do not have great physicality in there.”

Declan Rice Liverpool Transfer Regret

For Carragher, Declan Rice epitomises the type of midfielder Liverpool should have prioritised when Jordan Henderson and Fabinho left the club.

Speaking to The Athletic, Carragher admitted Liverpool’s failure to pursue Rice when he left West Ham in the summer of 2023 still frustrates him.

“The one who stands out every time I watch him play is Declan Rice,” Carragher said. “What a player, honest to God. That’s exactly what Liverpool need.”

Reflecting on that window, Carragher added: “Why Liverpool didn’t go for him… my argument at the time was you buy one player to replace two, because he could do both the Fabinho role and also the Henderson one.”

He feels Rice could have solved multiple problems at once, offering defensive security, leadership and the ability to press high up the pitch.

“Modern Day Roy Keane” Comparison Explained

Carragher could not have been more complimentary when describing Rice’s influence, comparing him to Manchester United legend Roy Keane.

“For me, he’s the modern-day Roy Keane,” Carragher said, pointing to Rice’s all-round game rather than attacking flair.

“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.”

Carragher highlighted Rice’s passing range, physical presence and set-piece delivery, arguing that Rice often goes underappreciated by non-Arsenal-supporting fans because of these qualities.

Declan Rice Impact at Arsenal

Since joining Arsenal for £105 million, Rice has taken his game to another level, but Carragher thinks he still doesn’t get enough credit.

“Declan has the set pieces, too,” he said. “I actually don’t think we still give him enough praise. It always feels like there’s a ‘but’ with him.”

He went on to highlight Rice’s technical and defensive strengths: “His passing is fantastic. No one can run past him. His set-piece delivery is as good as anything in European football.”

Rice has become a central figure in Mikel Arteta’s side, combining defensive discipline with leadership and consistent performances in big matches.

Why Rice Was Perfect for Liverpool

Carragher admitted he still struggles to understand why Liverpool failed to pursue the England international.

“Oh God, I’d have loved to have got him in a Liverpool shirt,” he said, reiterating that Rice could have transformed the midfield immediately.

Looking ahead, Carragher believes Rice’s influence could soon be recognised with major individual honours, with Wayne Rooney viewing him as the next England captain.

“For me, he’s Player of the Year this year, especially if Arsenal win the league,” he said. “Then he will get the real love he deserves, and hopefully he will go and have a great World Cup too.”