An overhaul in midfield is very much on the agenda for Jürgen Klopp this summer. At least three of his seasoned performers are going to leave Anfield at the end of the campaign in James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keïta, and they will have to be replaced.

On top of their departures, Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcântara are both aged 32, and Fabinho is now 29. Liverpool is interested in signing Mason Mount, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch (via The Times) to name but a few, but some supporters are relatively surprised that Declan Rice hasn’t been linked with a switch to Merseyside.

The West Ham United midfielder has evolved over time at the London Stadium, and he’s now entering his prime years of performance, having turned 24 years old earlier this year. Rice is regarded as one of the best players outside of the traditional top-six sides in the Premier League, which explains why he’s being tipped for a transfer in the near future.

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Indeed, David Moyes was asked about his talisman in his press conference on Friday afternoon, with the ex-Everton boss admitting that it could be difficult for the Hammers to keep him beyond the upcoming summer window.

“We honestly hope Dec stays, that’s the biggest thing. We’d love him to be a West Ham player but we are aware that might not be the case. That is one scenario,” he said. “Our plans are to have Dec here but we’re fully aware there’s a good chance we don’t have.”

His possible destinations include Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United to name but a few, although it remains to be seen where he will end up. Ex-Reds midfielder Dietmar Hamann is known to be a fan of the England international, recently stating (per Football.London): “I like Rice, he’s a player that would help Liverpool tremendously.”

Hamann’s perspective likely stems from Rice’s ability to contribute on the defensive side of the game in particular. This term, Liverpool has been opened up with ease on a regular basis, with the Reds suffering from counter-attacks as a consequence of opponents slicing through Klopp’s leaky defensive structure.

Rice is a natural ball-winner, he’s hungry for trophies and he’s a physical presence standing around 1.88m (6ft 2in) tall. If he had been installed within Liverpool’s system this season, he likely would have been a big help, yet Klopp seems intent on signing number eights who play further forward — such as Mount and Mac Allister — rather than a new holding midfielder like Rice.

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The German coach appears intent on keeping faith in Fabinho, who has experienced a turbulent campaign for the most part. The South American has been chasing shadows as Liverpool’s holding presence at times, and his sudden decline has been one of the primary reasons why the Reds have encountered difficulties on the defensive end.

Rather than cutting ties with him and acquiring the services of a younger model like Rice, it seems Klopp will give the Brazilian international another chance next season, while also integrating the promising Stefan Bajčetić, who is just 18 years old but looks destined for big things in the sport.

Moyes can rest assured that Liverpool is unlikely to chase his most influential player this summer, but if Fabinho doesn’t experience an upturn in form next season, Klopp could live to regret his decision on Rice.