Thompson feels Liverpool should sign Maguire to partner Van Dijk

Liverpool legend Phil Thompson believes Leicester City defender Harry Maguire would be the ideal partner for Virgil van Dijk in the Reds’ defence.

Speaking exclusively to the Liverpool Echo, Thompson discussed how the club can improve ahead of next season and highlighted Maguire as the man who he’d love to see the Reds sign.

I’ve been a big fan of Harry Maguire since his days at Hull City. Since then he’s got better and better. He’s had a fantastic World Cup so far. I was saying long before the tournament started that he has all the attributes needed to be a Liverpool player. He’s big, he’s strong and positionally he’s very good whether as a two or a three at the back.

Maguire has been a mainstay in Gareth Southgate’s England side throughout the World Cup and also enjoyed a strong season at Leicester City in the Premier League.

Liverpool have been tentatively linked with a move for Maguire in the past and Thompson believes that his qualities would complement Van Dijk well.

He’s a lot quicker than people give him credit for. He dominates in the air and that’s a major asset both defensively and offensively. He’s also very comfortable on the ball. He’s better than John Stones when it comes to passing it out from the back.

Harry has been one of the best defenders in the World Cup and he certainly fits Liverpool’s philosophy. I can’t speak more highly of him.

Thompson also claimed that, with Leicester expected to demand a huge sum for their star man if he is to leave in the near future, Maguire could be worth the reported outlay of £50 million.

No disrespect to Leicester but I can’t see him being there come the end of the transfer window. I think he would have been £50million before the World Cup and probably a bit more now. But I think he would be worth it. Big clubs will be after him and I’d like to think that Liverpool would be at the forefront.

The Reds are set to head into next season with a central defensive pairing of Van Dijk and Dejan Lovren, but it’s clear to see who Thompson wants the club to target next.