Former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann believes that Everton midfielder James McCarthy could be the ideal replacement for the departing Steven Gerrard this summer.
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Our long-serving captain joins LA Galaxy at the end of the season, after a glittering Anfield career that has included over 700 appearances, almost 200 goals and ten major honours, including the Champions League in 2005.
He’s a man who could well prove impossible to replace. However, it’s a task Brendan Rodgers is likely to have to take on this summer, with Joe Allen, Lucas Leiva, Jordan Henderson and Emre Can – who has spent the majority of this season playing in defence – his only remaining central midfielders.
McCarthy, who began his career with Hamilton before moving to Wigan Athletic in 2009, joined the Toffees in the summer of 2013 and has since made 72 appearances, scoring three times.
He’s become a crucial player for Roberto Martinez, who took McCarthy with him after leaving Wigan to move to Goodison Park. He’s impressed since the switch and has previously attracted interest from Manchester United (via Sky Sports).
And now, in quotes taken by the Liverpool Echo, Hamann believes that Liverpool should strive to make McCarthy the first player since Abel Xavier in 2002 to move across Merseyside.
He said: “I’ve always been a big fan of McCarthy’s. I think he’s done ever so well this season.”
McCarthy is not, and never will be on Gerrard’s level – but he’s a decent player, and for the right price, would boost our midfield. Will he seriously help us become Premier League title contenders though? Probably not, although it would almost be worth it to wind up the Bitters!