Declan Rice goal against Kidderminster compared to Steven Gerrard's Liverpool heroics

West Ham's Declan Rice has been compared to Liverpool and Premier League legend Steven Gerrard having dragged the Hammers back from the brink against Kidderminster Harriers

Declan Rice has received a lot of plaudits in his fledgling career, dodgy goal celebrations aside.

The 23-year-old was the mainstay of England’s midfield during their march to the final of Euro 2020 and was linked with a £100 million move to Manchester United in the summer.

All of that, combined with his stellar West Ham form, has meant the superlatives have kept on rolling in for Rice.

But the latest praise he has received, after West Ham’s last gasp FA Cup victory over sixth tier Kidderminster Harriers, is perhaps the most glowing he has received to date.

Writing in the Mail Online, Danny Murphy has compared him to the legendary former Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard.

Rice, a former centre back, has made his name in a deeper position, sitting in front of the back four, complimented by marauding forward runs.

Murphy said: “Rice’s goal was phenomenal. It was like watching Steven Gerrard back in the day marauding forward and dragging his side back into the game in the last minute.

“I am not saying Rice is as talented as Stevie, but this is the type of midfielder Rice is going to become. He can do so much more than sitting in front of the back four.

“Over the next few years, we will see him develop into a proper No.8, driving forward, getting more goals.”

West Ham certainly needed that yesterday, with Rice being introduced at half time with the Hammers facing an embarrassing exit.

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Rice scored the crucial injury time equaliser that ultimately allowed West Ham to go on and win the tie, and his leadership skills were not lost on Murphy either.

“We saw on Sunday how Rice can make things happen and that’s exactly what you want from your leader. It was a great advert for the type of midfielder he is going to be, especially if he moves to a team who have midfielders who can cover his runs.”

The bad news for West Ham fan’s is that comparisons to Steven Gerrard and other elite players mean a departure seems almost inevitable now, at least according to Murphy.

“I think he will definitely leave West Ham this summer. He has to. He is ready to play at the top level, regularly competing in the Champions League.

“He’s a permanent fixture in the England team, he’s so often West Ham’s best player.

“He’s an ambitious lad. West Ham have given him a fantastic platform to grow into what he has but football is about being the best you can be, winning trophies, playing in the Champions League and this is something Rice should be doing”.

With West Ham competing on multiple fronts, the former Republic of Ireland international at least has the opportunity to leave on a high.