- Barnes argues that Liverpool still missing a prolific forward
- LFC fans react, not entirely in agreement with the club legend
- Salah, Mane and Firmino have undoubtedly impressed this season
- READ MORE: Liverpool consider Tottenham raid to fill potential key void in the summer
Liverpool great John Barnes has made the argument that the club is still lacking a prolific striker which could hold them back beyond this season.
Jurgen Klopp has opted to play Roberto Firmino up front, with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane providing support on the flanks.
That trident has been responsible for 63 goals and 29 assists so far this season, helping Liverpool to emerge as the second highest goalscorers in the Premier League and a joy to watch at times with their pace, movement and goals providing plenty of entertainment too.
However, while Barnes has enjoyed what he’s seen, he is convinced that Klopp needs to add an out-and-out striker to lead the line moving forward as he doesn’t believe that the levels set by Salah, Mane and Firmino are sustainable.
“The front-three are great, but I don’t feel that they are necessarily going to continue to do this for the next two or three years,” he is quoted as telling talkSPORT, by The Express.
“Salah is not a centre forward, I don’t think he is a player who can score goals consistently over a period of time. We don’t have players like that. I think if they could get a centre forward, a penalty box player and play Firmino slightly deeper, I think it will be better for the balance of the team.”
There is an element to what Barnes is saying that is understandable, as every top side needs to have that attacking lynchpin to lead the line and deliver consistently, as seen with the likes of Luis Suarez, Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain around Europe.
However, given how effective Firmino, Salah and Mane have been this season, they’ve proven that they can deliver and that has resulted in the shocked reaction below from some Liverpool fans who have blasted Barnes for his suggestion.
Wow. The man has completely lost the plot. Very sad to see.
— GagenPressing (@mamula1986) February 17, 2018
This is why great players don’t necessarily make great managers
— Naeem (@NaeemRiaz) February 17, 2018
John Barnes was my favourite Liverpool player but he talks some shite. Wonder why he’s not in management anymore?
— Lee Whorton (@lee_whorton) February 17, 2018
John Barnes legend of a player but was awful at Celtic and tranmere as a manager
— Craig Cartwright (@Craigk81) February 17, 2018
Most goals in the champions league, most away goals in the premiership, don’t talk nonsense!
— Ken Sheppard (@KenSheppard3) February 17, 2018
And this is why Barnes is not a coach. Playing Firmino deeper would destroy everything that Jurgen has built
— Jethro Sloan (@jdksloan) February 17, 2018
He’s a legend and I adore him for that. But he’s wrong here. The way we play, these three create a lot of chances for each other and we really don’t need an out and out striker. Firmino is an all in one package
— Anil Jayakumar (@aniljayakumar) February 17, 2018
Daniel Sturridge is an out and out striker. Unfortunately he couldn’t even get into the starting 11. He had to go out on loan to get some game time.
— Marley (@colinbarry80) February 17, 2018