Fromer Reds Captain Phil Thompson thinks that Harry Maguire will fit Liverpool’s philosophy.
Phil Thompson has urged his former cub to sign Harry Maguire from Leicester City. He feels that the defender could be perfect partner for Virgil van Dijk.
In talks with Liverpool Echo, the former Reds defender has urged the Liverpool Boss, Jurgen Klopp to try hard and break their bank to sign the defender from Leicester city.
He said, “I’ve been a big fan of Harry Maguire since his days at Hull City,” Thompson told the ECHO. Since then he’s got better and better. He’s had a fantastic World Cup so far. I was saying long before the tournament started that he has all the attributes needed to be a Liverpool player. He’s big, he’s strong and positionally he’s very good whether as a two or a three at the back.”
“He’s a lot quicker than people give him credit for. He dominates in the air and that’s a major asset both defensively and offensively.”
The former captain has praised Harry openhearted, and has called him a better option than John Stones while comparing to him. He said, “He’s also very comfortable on the ball. He’s better than John Stones when it comes to passing it out from the back.”
“Harry has been one of the best defenders in the World Cup and he certainly fits Liverpool’s philosophy. I can’t speak more highly of him.“No disrespect to Leicester but I can’t see him being there come the end of the transfer window. I think he would have been £50 million before the World Cup and probably a bit more now. But I think he would be worth it.”
“Big clubs will be after him and I’d like to think that Liverpool would be at the forefront.”
Maguire who started his career at Sheffield United, joined Leicester City from Hull in a £17 million deal last summer. Maguire has represented the Foxes in over 44 game and has scored in 2 games for the Foxes.
Thompson believes that Maguire partnership with Van Dijk will be very fruitful for the Reds in upcoming seasons.
“It’s hard saying it because Dejan Lovren had a pretty good season but I do think it’s an area where we have struggled for a while, Harry would be an upgrade. He’s like an English version of Van Dijk.” he added.
“Harry is probably even more physical than Van Dijk which is another plus and I’d see them as a great combination. He would give us that extra solidity back there. It would be another statement. They would be our centre-back combination for years to come.”
Thompson believes that there will be more signing from the Reds side over left days in the transfer window. He is impressed with the signing of Naby Keita and Fabinho.
“I like the look of Keita. He will give us more goals from that area and he’s a nark – I think we need a bit of that. I still think the Nabil Fekir transfer could happen. The deal could get restructured after the World Cup in a way that fits all parties,” he added.
“I also hope that Jurgen is looking for an upgrade on the keeper situation. Loris Karius and Simon Mignolet are good keepers but are they top quality? Are they in the same bracket as Thibaut Courtois and David de Gea? The honest answer is no.”
