Liverpool FC great John Barnes has voiced his concern over his former side eyeing a move for playmaker Thiago Alcântara this summer. The Bayern Munich star has emerged as the Merseyside club’s top transfer target in recent months. According to reports, the Reds are in pole position to finalize an approach for the 29-year old Thiago ahead of next season.
However, Barnes has reiterated his belief that Jurgen Klopp’s side does not need to make any high-profile signings this summer. The former Reds forward has pointed out that Liverpool FC will be exposed defensively upon Thiago’s arrival at the club. According to Barnes, the Reds’ squad is well-suited to the workmanlike midfield presence of players such as Jordan Henderson, Gini Wijnaldum, and Fabinho.
The 56-year old Barnes, who now works as a pundit for ESPN, added that the Premier League champions were not really in need of a creative force in their midfield department. Moreover, the ex-England attacker expressed concern over the Liverpool FC first-team squad’s harmony being disrupted following Thiago’s signing. He does not feel that the 29-year old Spaniard would make the Reds’ current starting lineup under Jurgen Klopp.
“The reason you can have two full-backs attacking at the same time and three strikers is because they have three hard-working midfielders to protect that situation.
“If you get another creative midfielder and you want your full-backs and front three to attack, then maybe you are going to concede more goals.”
Barnes’ recent comments on Thiago’s possible move to Anfield comes just days after former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov had similarly questioned Jurgen Klopp’s motives to greenlight Thiago’s transfer this summer. The Bulgarian footballing great had stated that the Reds were well-stocked in their midfield options at the club.
Moreover, Berbatov had urged Klopp to approach Serie A side, Napoli, over a move for Kalidou Koulibaly. According to him, Koulibaly’s signing could result in a formidable center-back pairing for the Reds alongside Virgil van Dijk. The 29-year old Koulibaly, a Senegalese international, is regarded as one of the best center-backs in world football.
However, it is understood that the Merseyside giants are eager on securing a move for Thiago this summer. The Spanish international himself is believed to very keen on playing for Jurgen Klopp’s side next season. He has refused several offers from Bayern Munich to extend his stay at the German club beyond the 2020-21 campaign.
ALSO READ – How would Liverpool lineup with Thiago Alcantara?
