December 24th 2023.
Declan Rice put in an impressive performance for Arsenal at Anfield on Saturday, prompting former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy to proclaim that the Gunners star would be the difference between a title challenge and Premier League glory for Jurgen Klopp's side.
Murphy was thoroughly impressed with the England midfielder, and with Arsenal centre-back William Saliba who stood out in the entertaining contest. He wrote for The Daily Mail that if there was any young holding midfielder out there looking to improve their game, they should watch Saturday's match and follow Rice's example.
"He was phenomenal last night, in every aspect. His reading of the game, winning the ball, his positional play, keeping hold of the ball under pressure, playing through the lines. It was an all-round brilliant display," Murphy wrote.
Murphy was also impressed with Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold, who he thinks should be playing alongside Rice and Jude Bellingham in England's midfield this summer. He praised the defender's passing and suggested it was a pass only a few people in world football can play.
In the end, Jurgen Klopp and Mikel Arteta had to share the spoils at Anfield. However, Murphy's assessment of the game has provided a valuable insight into why the Gunners are top of the Premier League table at Christmas, and why Liverpool need a player like Rice to make a serious challenge for the title.
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