Former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey has told new Reds boss Andoni Iraola that Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott could be a ‘massive asset’ for the Merseyside giants.
The highly-rated Scott has reportedly turned down a new contract offer from Bournemouth amid strong interest from Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United this summer.
It is believed the midfielder is not currently willing to agree new terms and is ready for a new challenge.
During an exclusive interview with 10bet, Heskey said of Scott: “When you look at the young midfielders moving around the market right now, Alex Scott is right up there with the best of them, and he probably wouldn’t command half the inflated price tag of others despite being just as talented.
“The great thing for me is that Iraola has already proven he can get the absolute best out of him.
“Having a player like that make the step up with a manager who already trusts him inside out would be a massive asset.”
Different kettle of fish
Former Leicester City and England hitman Heskey has warned the Spaniard that expectations at Anfield are enormous – and says he will need to deliver.
He added: “I’m excited to see where it goes.
“I really liked his Bournemouth side – I liked the aggressive nature of his setup, the fact that they were always on the front foot, and the sheer energy they played with.
“That said, managing and coaching Liverpool is a completely different kettle of fish.
“First, there’s a specific, historical way of playing expected there, and second, the baseline expectation for results is massive. It will be fascinating to see how it pans out.”
Successful signings
Heskey commented on the recent departure of Michael Edwards, and defended his track record in the market given he had some notable successes too, though he thinks the club should let forward Cody Gakpo go if a big-money comes in.
On the departure of Edwards, Heskey said: “I think you can’t pin things onto one person, and we know he had a hand in so many of Liverpool’s successful signings.
“There’s a group of people there that manage that area.
“He might be one of the top people bringing it together and having the ultimate say, his name at the end of it, but there’s a team of analysts and a team of people that bring a bunch of names to the forefront.
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Top operator
“They then sift through that to make sure they’ve picked the best possible options.
“There’ll be different people in that department who could take over.
“He left once before and Liverpool did alright without him. I wouldn’t be concerned at all, but that isn’t to say he wasn’t a top operator.”
Tottenham are believed to be interested in signing Netherlands star Gakpo, and Heskey said: “I would consider selling Cody if a decent offer was on the table.
Look at your assets
“When you’re coming in as a new manager, you have to cold-headedly look at your assets, and he is an asset who holds significant market value that you could cash in on to fund your own vision.
“He has had a decent enough World Cup in terms of scoring and creating chances for Holland, which keeps his profile high.
“But at club level for Liverpool, it hasn’t consistently looked great for him. So yes, you’d definitely have to consider a serious offer.”
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Juliette White 
SportJustSport writers 
Aidan Leo