Liverpool have been linked with a move for the midfielder in recent weeks, with Dean Saunders saying the Premier League champions should do everything possible to sign Elliott Anderson.
Dean Saunders believes it is natural for Liverpool to target Nottingham Forest’s Elliott Anderson in 2026, saying the hot England midfielder could be the Reds’ very own Declan Rice.
Anderson, 23, has had a phenomenal year for Forest and looks poised to play a key role in the 2026 World Cup after working hard in manager Thomas Tuchel’s plans. And his impressive form in the Premier League has also caught the attention of Forest’s domestic rivals, with many keen to sign him next year.
Both Manchester United and Manchester City have been linked with a move for Anderson in recent months. But Saunders believes he can emulate Rice, who has taken his game to a new level since the former Newcastle player moved to Arsenal for more than £100m, and has urged Liverpool to get in on the action.
read more: Transfer News LIVE: Liverpool’s clear Salah stance, Kane’s £57m decision and Semenyo updatesread more: Mo Salah and Arne Slott on the verge of Liverpool negotiations as five clubs prepare to make transfer bids
“The best players in the world never let go of the ball. That’s what separates the best players from the rest,” Sanders told AceOdds.com. “We watched Elliott Anderson at youth level and we saw him break through to the Premier League and he never gave the ball away.
“We still needed to see if he could do it on the big stage, and he can. He never lets the ball go. When he’s playing with the best players in the world, they can’t take the ball away from him. When they press him, he just looks away.
“He passes the ball, he moves, he looks forward. The best players always want to go forward and that’s how he does it. His football brain is great. He has to add some goals to his game, but he can play in any position in midfield: number six, number eight, number 10. He’s like Declan Rice. He can do a little bit of everything.”
Saunders went on to point out how Ryan Gravenbirch played a key role in Liverpool’s title win last season, and expressed the importance of players who can play such a role. But he feels Liverpool will improve if Anderson plays that role.
“Gravenberch did well for Liverpool last season, but he’s not at the same level. Being in that position is an art where you always have to protect your backline, thinking about the worst-case scenario. You have to think about what happens if Salah loses the ball or Gakpo makes the wrong decision. Kante can do that and in my opinion he was the best player.”
“But I think Elliott Anderson can do that too. So for me he’s a perfect fit for the Liverpool team. In that position you have to sniff out danger and Liverpool haven’t done that well in that aspect. But Elliott Anderson could be in any team in the world.”
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive Mirror Football content every day. Community members also receive special offers, promotions, and advertisements from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can always check out. If you are interested, please read our privacy notice.
Sky Sports Premier League and EFL package discounts
£43
£35
sky
Get the deal here
Sky has reduced the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 on their bill and offering more than 1,400 live matches from the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will broadcast at least 215 live Premier League matches next season, with an increase of up to 100 more.
