Liverpool are reportedly 'keeping close tabs' on West Ham and England midfielder Declan Rice, although they are far from alone in expressing an interest.

The Lowdown: Rice a wanted man

The 24-year-old has matured into one of the most impressive midfielders in the Premier League, producing consistently strong performances for the Hammers.

Rice is already one of the first names on England's team sheet, too, having started five matches for the Three Lions at the 2022 World Cup and enjoying a 94.3% pass completion rate at the competition, highlighting his composure on the grandest of stages.

Liverpool have been linked a with move for the West Ham captain recently and it is a rumour that is refusing to go away.

The Latest: Liverpool still in the mix

According to Football Insider on Monday morning, the Reds are 'keeping close tabs' on Rice ahead of a potential summer saga, but Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United are all mentioned, too.

He is widely expected to leave the Hammers at the end of this season, with his current deal expiring in the summer of 2024.

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The Verdict: Him and Bellingham?

The one negative against Liverpool signing Rice is the amount he would cost, with West Ham surely only likely to accept a monstrous bid for their skipper.

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That being said, the Reds simply have to invest big in midfield this summer and signing both Rice and the heavily linked Jude Bellingham would be an enormous statement of intent by the club if they can get it done.

Rice is a highly impressive player who is still young, having been hailed as 'superb' by Tony Cascarino and averaging 2.3 tackles per game in the league this season.

The £60,000-a-week-earning Englishman possesses the legs and physical dominance that have deserted both Fabinho and Jordan Henderson this season and his long-term worth means he could end up being worth every penny.