West Ham star Declan Rice should be the top target on Liverpool's summer transfer shortlist, according to former Anfield star Glen Johnson.
Liverpool completed the signing of Porto winger Luis Diaz late in the January window for a fee which could eventually be worth £50million, adding competition for the likes of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane in attack.
The Reds have enjoyed a strong Premier League season so far, winning 14 of their 22 games and scoring 58 goals - more than any side in the top flight - but they currently trail leaders Manchester City by nine points, albeit with a game in hand.
Jurgen Klopp's preferred 4-3-3 formation relies on his world-class front three being supported by a midfield that has often been lauded more for its balance and workrate rather than its ability.
Have Your Say! Would Rice be your top signing for Liverpool this summer? Pick your No.1 target here.
Liverpool have struggled at times for control in games this season, with the deep-lying No.6 role of huge importance in Klopp's system.
Having added Diaz to the attack in January, midfield is the next position former Liverpool right-back Johnson believes the Reds should look to strengthen this summer.
When asked who his No.1 summer target for Klopp would be, former Liverpool and West Ham defender Johnson said in an interview courtesy of Squawka : "I would probably go with Declan Rice.
"I don't think it'll be long until he goes to a big club, so you want to act while you can.
"I just 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."
Liverpool will likely face fierce competition for Rice's signature should there prove to be a bidding war for the England midfielder this summer.
Rice has gone from strength to strength in east London in recent years, becoming a key player for both club and country and leading David Moyes to suggest last year that it would take a bid of more than £100million to prise the 23-year-old away from the Hammers.
Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United would all likely be involved were Rice to become available in the summer, though much could depend on whether the Hammers - currently fifth in the table - can sustain their Champions League qualification charge.
Interview courtesy of Squawka
