It may come as a surprise to many on this side of the Irish Sea but James McCarthy is being suggested as a possible replacement for Steven Gerrard at Liverpool. The Ireland midfielder often gets quite a hard time of things when it comes to pulling on a green shirt but one of Gerrard's former teammates believes McCarthy should make the controversial move across Stanley Park.
Speaking to the Independent, Didi Hamann raised the possibility that Liverpool could look to McCarthy to be the driving force in Liverpool's midfield next year.
I’ve always been a big fan of his. I think he’s done ever so well this season. Whether he’s a player Liverpool are interested in him remains but to be seen but in the centre midfield area, there’s a few players there.
Somebody has to step up and perform at the highest every single week because obviously that’s what will be missing with Steven Gerrard gone.
It seems very unlikely that that player would be McCarthy. Everton would be loathed to lose the former Hamilton man to their nearest rivals. However, Hamann's belief that McCarthy has the ability is certainly telling. His international performances may not be to everyone's liking but the ability to be more proactive is certainly there.
McCarthy's performance against Man United during Everton's 3-0 win a few weeks ago was certainly one which would make a club with Champions League ambitions take notice. Whether he makes that move or not, it does suggest that Ireland fans shouldn't be giving up on McCarthy, as some have suggested, just yet.
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