Steve Nicol thinks Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool would transform with Arsenal trio William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Declan Rice in their XI.
Going forward, Liverpool have been a joy to watch this season and even when at a disadvantage, amid the spate of red cards this season, the team has still looked like a serious threat.
But with only one clean sheet registered so far in the league, when it comes to the Premier League title race, it’s a big no-no.
That’s why Anfield legend Nicol thinks it would be a ‘different ball game’ if Arsenal’s thriving defensive trio replaced what Liverpool have at the back, as he told ESPN.
Declan Rice signed for a club-record transfer this summer, whilst William Saliba is showing signs that he is a young version of Virgil van Dijk and Gabriel Magalhaes is proving to be the underrated figure at the back.
All in all, if Mikel Arteta can keep those three fit this season, then their chances of dethroning Manchester City from top spot increases, big time!
Rice, Saliba and Gabriel at Liverpool
“Right now, Saliba, Gabriel and Rice in front of them,” said Nicol. “You stick that on Liverpool right now and they are a different team.
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“If you put those three in Liverpool’s team, then it’s a different ball game.”
Patience is needed
Given how the previous campaign panned out, if Liverpool can just return to the Champions League for next season, then it would be a big thumbs up.
This is the start of Klopp rebuilding his side for the second time and it wouldn’t be a surprise if this season will result in a few hiccups.
That’s why patience is needed, Klopp has proved himself before, and there is no doubt that, in time, he will do it again.