I SAW a star of the future playing for Wigan on Monday.

James McCarthy is only 19 but he produced a really mature performance and was better than any Reds player on the park.

McCarthy joined Wigan from Hamilton last summer. He could have signed for the Reds but he knew he wouldn’t get a game and decided going to Wigan would be best for his development.

At £1.2m he was a bargain. He’s got fire in his belly and the attitude and commitment of the young Republic of Ireland international really impressed me.

If Liverpool are looking for a quality midfielder there’s no need to search in South America.

Look no further than McCarthy. He’s on our doorstep and we need to snap him up before Manchester United do.