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Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard wishes the Reds had signed Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice from West Ham before the Gunners.<\/p>\n
Rice joined Arsenal<\/strong> from West Ham in a deal worth \u00a3105m in July 2023 after helping the Hammers win the Europa Conference League a couple of months before.<\/p>\n The England international has gone from strength to strength under Mikel Arteta and is now one of the best midfielders in world football.<\/p>\n It looks like Rice made a good choice in moving to Arsenal with Arteta\u2019s currently nine points clear at the top of the Premier League and still chasing an unprecedented Quadruple.<\/p>\n But former Liverpool midfielder Gerrard wishes that the Reds had made an effort to sign Rice before the north London side swooped.<\/p>\n Gerrard told TNT Sports<\/em>: \u201cHe\u2019s going from strength to strength.<\/p>\n READ: Arsenal sixth as deepest Quadruple runs ever ranked, with sweary Guardiola in sight<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cI think he\u2019s one of the best in the world. I think he has become one of the best in the world.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a fantastic move for him. I wish we (Liverpool) signed him here, actually.<\/p>\n \u201cWest Ham did a great job under David Moyes, I think David Moyes has really schooled him in how to play the position tactically.<\/p>\n \u201cHis confidence from playing well for England and being around that group of players, he\u2019s just gone to the next level now at Arsenal under Mikel Arteta.<\/p>\n \u201cFantastic coaching from him and he\u2019s up there now in the shout to be one of the world\u2019s best in that position and in that role.\u201d<\/p>\n READ: Salah landmark goal the highlight as Liverpool buck Champions League trend<\/strong><\/p>\n Ex-Liverpool midfielder Steve McManaman added: \u201cI think when you think of his role and you look around Europe, you have Pedri who is beautiful, Vitinha is great, but he way he (Rice) plays I\u2019d certainly say he\u2019s the best because he\u2019s a different type of player to them.<\/p>\n \u201cBut he\u2019s so effective, last year he was amazing and he\u2019s stepped up again this year.\u201d<\/p>\n Rice heaped praise on Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya on Tuesday night and insisted that the Spain international is turning into a \u201creal leader\u201d for the Gunners.<\/p>\n He told CBS Sports<\/em>: \u201cYeah, he deserves every bit of credit that he\u2019s getting.<\/p>\n \u201cI wish people could come in and see every day how he trains because the intensity that he trains at and the level that he trains at, there\u2019s literally no reason why he\u2019s not doing what he\u2019s doing on the pitch.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s incredible. To see him every day, the effort and how he is with the lads, he\u2019s turned into a real leader for us and when you\u2019ve got a \u2018keeper like that, I think it gives everyone confidence. So, yeah, he\u2019s incredible.\u201d<\/p>\n READ NEXT: Maresca to Rosenior next? Man Utd and Liverpool in 10 manager downgrades<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n