Liverpool ‘should have broken the BANK’ to sign Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice, claims Ally McCoist

Ally McCoist believes Liverpool should have ‘broke the bench’ and signed Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice last summer to improve their midfield.

Jurgen Klopp’s squad has been lacking in consistency this season so far and their midfield has been one of the main concerns.

McCoist believes that while Harvey Elliott is a talented player, the 19-year-old is not ready to start regularly in midfield for Liverpool.

Ally McCoist thinks Liverpool ‘should have broken the bank’ to sign Jude Bellingham (L) and Declan Rice (R)

McCoist said the pair would be ‘phenomenal’ at Anfield if the Reds could do the trick

According to McCoist, Liverpool should try to bring in Borussia Dortmund star Bellingham or West Ham’s Rice, even though both players would be very expensive.

In addition, McCoist stated that Liverpool have missed Georginio Wijnaldum since his move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021.

Talk about talkSPORT on the possibility of signing Bellingham or Rice, McCoist said: “I think Liverpool should have broken the bank and closed that deal earlier. How long have you and I been talking about watching Liverpool’s midfield? I know he didn’t have a good time in Paris, but they missed Wijnaldum too.

McCoist says Harvey Elliott isn’t ready to start Liverpool’s biggest games

“Honestly, if you look at it from that side, I like Harvey Elliott as a player 100 percent, I think he’s a good player. Is he strong enough now to start in that Liverpool midfield? I’m not so sure. Thiago is a good player.

“If anyone can get Bellingham and Rice, that’s phenomenal. I have long said I was at Liverpool for the West Ham game, Declan Rice was fantastic. I’m telling you now, he was fantastic.’

Bellingham has been linked with a host of high profile clubs and Manchester City have been in talks over a deal for the England international.

Rice, meanwhile, has excellent leadership skills and provides protection to the defense and can also help the team move forward.

Rice and Bellingham expected to start side by side for England at the World Cup

Both Rice and Bellingham are expected to be selected by Gareth Southgate this month for his World Cup squad in England, and they have also been backed to start together in the middle of the park in Qatar.

While Liverpool can call on Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Thiago, they could struggle if one of those players is unavailable.

Liverpool are currently eighth in the Premier League, having won just five games to date, and Klopp is hoping for more consistency from his team as the campaign progresses.

Liverpool host Southampton on Saturday in their last game before the break for the World Cup.