With Liverpool deciding against bringing Philippe Coutinho back to Anfield and the subsequent snapping up of the Brazil international by Bayern Munich, a former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has identified another talented youngster who should be in Jurgen Klopp's plans.
Retired England international and Liverpool's vice-captain for ten years, Jamie Carragher has urged his former club to prioritize the signing if Leicester City playmaker James Maddison.
The 22-year-old midfielder joined Leicester City last summer in a deal worth £20m from Norwich City. He went on to create exactly 100 chances in 2018/19, the third-most among all players in Europe’s top five leagues and the only player to achieve it in the Premier League.
⭐️ Man of the Match, @LCFC’s James Maddison
67 touches
6 touches in opposition box (most in match)
2 shots
Completed 24/36 passes
3 chances created, assist for Ndidi’s equaliser pic.twitter.com/n5GshBvtch— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) August 18, 2019
Carragher, who is Liverpool's second-longest ever serving player after Elisha Scott, has revealed his admiration for Maddison, suggesting that his former club should look at acquiring the young attacking midfielder’s services to finally fill the No 10 void left by Philippe Coutinho.
“I think he is the one player outside of the top six who Liverpool should be looking at,” Carragher said when discussing the two weekends old Premier League season on Sky Sports as observed by Soccernet.ng.
“People have been talking about Coutinho coming back, but obviously that hasn’t happened as he’s gone to Bayern Munich, but if you're looking in the Premier League, yes he will cost a lot of money, but he should be the one Liverpool are looking at if you’re going to that next step up.”
https://www.twitter.com/Madders10/status/1163173966795722752
Former Manchester United fullback Gary Neville was also part of the discussion and he didn't fail to highlight the potential of James Maddison, even selecting the playmaker as his ‘Young talent’ of the new season.
“I think he’s outstanding, No 10s aren’t as fashionable nowadays, it’s more about wide strikers who score the goals,” said Neville, who spent his entire playing career at Old Trafford.
“It used to be about the Zolas and Cantonas, and he is a genuine creative player who will go on to play for England and be involved in the European Championship.
“I think he is fantastic.”
