Liverpool take a back seat in bubbling transfer battle as trio of rivals begin to circle

Liverpool have a taken a back seat in the battle for Declan Rice as a trio of their rivals begin to circle, according to a report.

Rice has established himself as one of, if not the, best midfielders in the Premier League and could become the most expensive British player of all time in the coming years.

West Ham are eager to not lose their prized asset to a top six side. So they have supposedly slapped a £150million price tag on him.

That figure could still be within reach for some clubs.

But it seems Liverpool want nothing to do with it. According to Football Insider, they won’t be joining the race.

That’s despite the fact that Jurgen Klopp is a big fan of the England midfielder.

In fairness, the German manager does already have a stacked set options for the position in his Reds squad.

Fabinho is also a top general in the middle of the park. And he’s supplemented by Thiago, Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita.

However, there is a distinct lack of youthfulness amongst that quartet.

That’s something which Rice, 23, would change. So whether Liverpool may reconsider down the line remains to be seen.

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At present, the report claims Manchester City, Man United and Chelsea are all interested in him.

While the Blues cannot spend any money at present, the former pair are better positioned to splash the cash than Liverpool.

It appears the Anfield hierarchy want to use their finances in a different way, because they are still likely to be in the market for a new midfielder.

Liverpool would have uphill battle

Rice may not be on the move at all this summer given that his Hammers contract could run until 2025.

If the time for his departure does come, though, then it is thought he would prefer a move back to his boyhood club, Chelsea.

They released him aged 14 before he linked up with West Ham. And he has remained close with former youth team-mate Mason Mount.

So even if Liverpool did enter the fray, it seems they would be fighting an uphill battle for his signature.

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