Liverpool have been urged to raid local rivals Everton for the signing of Abdoulaye Doucoure to bolster their midfield by club icon Steve Nicol.
Speaking to ESPN FC, as quoted by the Echo, Liverpool legend Steve Nicol has backed the club to raid their arch-rivals, Everton, for the signing of midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure.
Liverpool lost Georginio Wijnaldum in the summer and failed to bring in a replacement for the Dutchman. While the likes of Naby Keita and Curtis Jones have stepped up and done well, the Reds have been hit with injury problems to Thiago Alcantara, Harvey Elliott, Keita, James Milner, and Fabinho.
While Fabinho and Thiago both returned to action in the win against Atletico Madrid, Nicol believes that Liverpool would be well-served by bolstering their midfield department if they are to go all the way in multiple competitions, especially in the position where Fabinho plays.
“It has been [chaos] recently [without Fabinho]. I wouldn’t have a problem if they can bring somebody in. There’s not that many going that are really good. The one problem Liverpool have right now is regardless of who they’re playing against, they’re getting at the back four,” the former Liverpool defender said.
Nicol then went on to add that West Ham United’s Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips would be worthy additions to the Merseyside giants’ midfield unit. However, he then mentioned a surprise name in the form of Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure as an option that Liverpool could look to sign.
“100 per cent I would take either [Declan Rice or Kalvin Phillips] of them. I’ll tell you what, I’d take Doucoure from Everton,” Nicol said.
The 28-year-old is in his second season with Everton, having switched from Watford in the summer of 2020. A key player for the Toffees, he was in impressive form this term, bagging two goals and four assists in eight Premier League games before an injury struck him down.
Since Doucoure was sidelined, Everton have struggled to produce solid performances, losing each of their last two league games, indicating his importance to the team. The Frenchman has operated as a box-to-box midfielder for the club but can also play as a No.6. However, a cross-town switch from Everton to Liverpool, like Nicol has suggested, is unlikely to take place.
However, the Reds are looking at AS Monaco’s Aurelien Tchouameni, who could be a reliable addition to the midfield unit at Anfield.
