Micah Richards says Liverpool should have signed West Ham United midfielder James Ward-Prowse in the summer as a replacement for Jordan Henderson.

The Hammers signed the former Southampton captain for £30 million after the Saints were relegated at the end of last season.

In the same position, the right-hand side of central midfield, Liverpool added former RB Leipzig dynamo Dominik Szoboszlai for a huge £60 million fee.

Since his arrival, the Hungarian has shown exactly why the Reds wanted him in the first place.

But Richards believes Ward-Prowse would have been a brilliant addition to Jurgen Klopp’s squad.

“He is one of the signings of the season as well, Ward-Prowse,” Alan Shearer said on The Rest Is Football podcast.

“What did they pay for him, £30 million? What a bargain! What a season he’s having. The assists. We did a piece on Match of the Day about him and those set pieces and where he puts the ball time after time, week after week, it’s just phenomenal what a dead ball player he is.”

Gary Lineker then wondered why whether any of the Premier League’s big clubs will look back and regret not taking the plunge to sign him.

“100%,” replied Richards.

“Liverpool should have bought him. He was destined for Liverpool.

“Replace Henderson, he does exactly what Henderson can do and he has delivery as well. I’m thinking why has that not happened?”