Liverpool should go all out and sign Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice as the England duo would solve the Reds' current midfield predicament - two years after Frank Lampard tried to bring both of them to Chelsea.
That's an opinion held by former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann, who believes the talented pair have what it takes to take the Reds back to their best after a mediocre start to the campaign. Jurgen Klopp's side currently sit sixth in the Premier League table, having won just six of their opening 14 matches.
The Reds also lie 15 points behind league leaders Arsenal, which already looks a huge gap to climb although Klopp's men are known for a late push in the second-half of the season. One reason behind their mini-downfall is Liverpool's midfield, with Jordan Henderson, Thiago, Naby Keita and Arthur missing matches through injury, while Fabinho hasn't been at his best this term.
It is essential that Liverpool strengthen their midfield in the next couple of transfer windows and Hamann insists that Rice and Bellingham should be "key" targets for the Reds. The German revealed that Bellingham should be the Reds' number one priority, while West Ham's Rice should pick Liverpool over the likes of Manchester United.
Hamann told Stake : "Jude Bellingham is the key to solving Liverpool’s midfield troubles - but Reds must lure Declan Rice to Anfield too. Jude Bellingham could be the key to Liverpool’s midfield troubles.
"I think that Liverpool's Achilles heel was not having a player who gets us seven or from open play from midfield. In losing Mané, they lost a bit of firepower going forward, even though Nunez is coming into it now. Bellingham is the type of candidate who they should be looking at, but they must try and lure Declan Rice to Anfield too.
"Rice is spoilt for choice if he were to move clubs but he’d absolutely suit playing behind Bellingham at Liverpool. Liverpool have Fabinho who’s form has dropped off a bit in the last few months. I think it depends how he does because I don't think that you can play with both Declan Rice and Fabinho in the middle of the pack. I think one player of that caliber is enough but Fabinho's form has been a concern."
Meanwhile, former Chelsea boss Lampard confirmed he tried to sign Bellingham and Rice while he was in charge at Stamford Bridge. The now-Everton manager was in charge of the Blues from July 2019 to January 2021, and after a transfer embargo when he took over, he wanted to bring in the England duo in the summer of 2020.
"He’s crucial already, he’s an outstanding talent for such a young player," Lampard told Sky Sports of Bellingham. He’s more experienced and talented than his years show, to do what he’s done on the top level already.
"I tried to sign him when I was at Chelsea, I wanted to sign him and Declan Rice, that will be England’s midfield for this tournament, probably.
"A lot of expectation so we have to be a bit steady with him, but the way he’s played and performed…he has a real mature sense about him as well, so I’m sure not too much will phase him and I expect him to go and have a good tournament."
