Liverpool legend Steve Nicol believes that his former club should make a bid for Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo.

While his preference would be to sign West Ham’s Declan Rice, Nicol acknowledges that is unlikely, with Arsenal and Manchester City battling for the England international. Instead, he thinks the Reds should pursue Caicedo:

“I would have liked Declan Rice to go to Liverpool but that’s not happening. So, I have gone with Caicedo. He actually disrupts the opposition. Gets the ball back. But he can play a little bit as well. Liverpool, at their best, under Klopp have had three players in the middle of the park that have done that. They have got the ball back and supplied the front three, regardless of what three it will be next season.”

Nicol claims that linking up Caicedo with his former teammate Alexis Mac Allister would be the “ideal scenario” as they already know each other’s games inside out:

“If I can’t get Declan Rice, then I would like this guy in the middle of the park for Liverpool, alongside Mac Allister. What better situation to have for a manager than to have two great players coming in, who know each other so well, that it shouldn’t be a problem integrating? It’s an ideal scenario for Liverpool.”

Liverpool would have to see off Premier League rivals if they want Caicedo

It is believed that Chelsea are the favourites to land the Ecuadorian international, having agreed personal terms with the player. The Blues are also expected to table a formal bid for the midfielder very soon.

The 21-year-old is said to be a target for Manchester Unitedas well, with officials having reportedly held talks with his agent pretty recently.

Caicedo is not going to be available on the cheap

Unlike Mac Allister, who had a release clause mechanism in his contract, Caicedo won’t be sold for a low fee by Brighton.

The player’s asking price varies between £80m and £120m so you can understand why, up until now, Liverpool haven’t been seriously contemplating a move for him. Competition from other teams will also mean that the Seagulls will stick stubbornly to their valuation so, while Nicol may hope that the Reds will get involved in the battle for Caicedo, it does seem rather unrealistic.