'Imagine' - Steven Gerrard still jealous of Arsenal transfer masterpiece

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard believes the Reds should have tried to sign Declan Rice before Arsenal snapped up the midfielder from West Ham for over $142 million in 2023

Steven Gerrard is a huge Declan Rice fan(Image: DeFodi Images, DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

Steven Gerrard has admitted his disappointment that Liverpool failed to secure Declan Rice's signature.

The Arsenal midfielder has become an integral figure under Mikel Arteta as the Gunners pursue Premier League glory. The Reds legend heaped praise on the England international and believes Liverpool should have made a stronger push to sign the 26-year-old before the north London outfit secured his services from West Ham United.

Arteta captured his signature in 2023, following the Hammers' UEFA Conference League triumph, paying over $142 million for his services. There were no indications that Liverpool were pursuing his signature, with Manchester United and Arsenal amongst the leading contenders.

That summer, Jurgen Klopp brought in Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister for more than $130M from RB Leipzig and Brighton and Hove Albion, respectively, forming part of the midfield overhaul on Merseyside.

Gerrard praised the Arsenal midfielder and considers him to possess the ideal attributes for a central role. The former Liverpool captain told the Smith Brothers podcast: "I love Declan Rice, I've been singing his praises for a long time. I coached Villa against West Ham before he went to Arsenal, I didn't realise how big he was because hadn't met him in person.

"You get in the tunnel and think, 'Oh my god, that's some profile for a midfielder.' If you're building a midfielder, he's got a body to die for, if you're 6ft1in, 6ft2in, and have the legs, the power, that's the midfielder you want to be. He was calm in possession, an animal out of it, up and down, I really like him as a person as well.

"I think he's really getting into that class where he's becoming a world-class midfielder. He's maybe one we should've tried to grab from West Ham, I don't know whether we did but imagine him in this midfield now."

Rice joined Arsenal for $142 million in 2023(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

This isn't the first occasion that the 45-year-old has sung the midfielder's praises, having previously suggested Rice's switch to Arsenal has elevated him to the next level.

"In the Premier League, I think Declan Rice is a really, really good midfielder," he added.

"I like an awful lot about him. I like the kid, I like his mentality, I like the way he's gone to the next level at Arsenal, he's adding different things to his game. I think he'd be a really tough, strong opponent, a good challenge."

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot remains under scrutiny at Anfield despite their 2-1 victory over Wolves extending their winning streak to four matches.

They currently occupy fourth spot in the Premier League table and are unbeaten in seven fixtures across all competitions. However, their difficult period between September and November resulted in nine losses, including a sequence of four consecutive defeats.

In an interview with TNT Sports, Gerrard threw his weight behind the Dutchman and offered his assistance should the Reds require it. He said: "I'll be brutally, brutally honest with you. I'd help Liverpool in any department at any minute of every day. I'd help them with anything.

"I don't want the Arne Slot to lose his job. I want him to fix this and turn it around and make Liverpool great. I was bouncing all over the city four or five months ago when Liverpool won the league.

"I'm a Liverpool fan. I want the best for Liverpool. But if Liverpool need me in any department at any time, I'll be there for them."