After the Carabao Cup final which saw Liverpool come out as victors, we caught up with Liverpool legend John Barnes who gave MyBettingSites an exclusive review of the game between Chelsea and Liverpool at Wembley. Barnes discussed his thoughts on the Liverpool academy, the importance of Harvey Elliott and whether Virgil van Dijk is the league’s best ever centre half.
In this article:
- Liverpool’s academy comparable with Barca’s La Masia and the Ajax Academy
- Comparing van Dijk to Terry and Rio is like comparing Ronaldo and Messi
- Elliott is a key part of the Liverpool future
Liverpool’s academy comparable with Barca’s La Masia and the Ajax Academy
Manager Jurgen Klopp had been forced to select six youngsters on the bench – one of them, Trey Nyoni, is only 16. The 19-year-old Bobby Clark was the most experienced of them, making his ninth substitute appearance whilst the likes of James McConnell, Jayden Danns, Conor Bradley, Jarrell Quansah and Harvey Elliott also played a part in the final. Barnes has lauded Liverpool’s academy, comparing its success in nurturing young talent favourably with renowned setups like the Ajax academy and Barcelona’s La Masia. Danns was one of young players that got to step onto the Wembley pitch on Sunday and compared the young talent to a former Red in Roberto Firmino.
“I know Jayden’s Dad Neil and I know Jayden. I also know his grandfather and I know Liverpool rate him highly. Liverpool say he plays a lot like Firmino in a withdrawn role.
“The good thing about the Liverpool academy is when you look at La Masia and also the Ajax academy they all develop players to play for their first team. For their system and for their team.
“They don’t develop players to go and play for other teams. The players Liverpool develop in the academy know how to play for the Liverpool first team when called upon which is what Ajax and Barcelona do.
“Young players like James McConnell, Lewis Koumas, Bobby Clark, Jarrel Quasah, Connor Bradley, Jayden Danns who are young players and understand from the ages of 14, 15 and 16 how the first team play and how to play in their respective positions. This means when they get into the first team they can do it comfortably.”
Comparing van Dijk to Terry and Rio is like comparing Ronaldo and Messi
Jamie Carragher recently said Virgil van Dijk is the best centre back in Premier League history. Shortly afterwards the Dutchman staked his claim with a mammoth performance on Sunday afternoon against Chelsea. van Dijk scored the winning goal in the dying moments of the game having been denied earlier in the match by VAR. van Dijk led the Reds when they needed him most and Barnes is in full praise of the defender but is wary of claiming he’s better than the likes of Rio Ferdinand and John Terry.
“There’s the likes of Rio Ferdinand and John Terry who are great centre backs from the Premier League era. I would say he’s absolutely one of the greatest in Premier League history.
“It’s like saying who’s better? Messi or Ronaldo? There’s no definitive answer between Terry, Ferdinand and Van Dijk. Virgil is one of the best in Premier League history.”
Elliott is a key part of the Liverpool future
Harvey Elliott has now reached 100+ appearances for the reds aged just 20. Elliott insists Liverpool can win the quadruple in Jurgen Klopp’s final season after lifting the first of an anticipated four trophies. Barnes says Elliott has a big part to play in the Liverpool squad of today and in the future.
“Harvey is so important to the Liverpool squad. He’s very impactful. He never lets the team down when he comes into the side.
“Right now he’s not in the first starting eleven but he’s young and part of a team who needs him. Harvey Elliott is invaluable to Liverpool and you need players like him that will be part of a squad.
“Harvey is a big part of the Liverpool squad now but he’s also going to be a big part of the future of Liverpool FC.”
Elliott is priced at 12/1 on Sky Bet to be included in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the upcoming European Championships this summer. Be sure to check out the Sky Bet sign-up offer, as they’re a betting site that catch the eye with the range of betting markets they have accessible on football in particular.
