While England have a date with destiny, and Spain, on Sunday, Premier League clubs are busy making moves to strengthen their ranks. Liverpool, who enter a new period under the stewardship of Arne Slot.
Midfield is an area where the Reds would be looking to add new players considering that Thiago Alcantara announced his retirement. The club is also reportedly looking to bring in wingers with a move for Anthony Gordon a possibility.
We discussed Liverpool’s transfer targets with club legend John Barnes who gave his verdict on the different players linked to the six-time European champions.
Eberechi Eze would be better signing than Anthony Gordon
Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze were the key players for Crystal Palace last season and the duo has been on the transfer lists of top clubs in England and Europe. Olise has already joined Bayern Munich and Eze could be next.
Barnes thinks that Eze can be a great signing for Liverpool, especially if they can get him around a valuation of £60 million. That being said, Barnes doesn’t see him operating in central areas but more on the wings.
“No, I don’t see Eberechi Eze as a central player at all because when you look at the way he plays, he wants to be beyond the midfield players, which doesn’t come from the middle. It comes from the left or the right.
“Michael Olise has gone on to Bayern Munich, and I think those two were the shining lights for Crystal Palace. I think that he would definitely be a fantastic signing for Liverpool if you could get him for £60 million. I mean it’s a lot of money, but in this day and age you look at the cost of other players and his age and I think that would be a great signing for Liverpool because I think he does have a lot to offer.”
Barnes also suggests that Eze would be a more natural fit for Arne Slot as opposed to Anthony Gordon who has also been linked with a move to Anfield. Barnes elaborates that Eze’s on-ball qualities will fit in well with Slot’s style compared to Gordon’s dynamism which would have been more desirable in Jurgen Klopp’s playstyle.
“Gordon will be a good signing but you can’t just keep signing players because you’ve got to keep them happy and if no one’s going to leave why we keep signing players. we sign him as he’s a good player. I think with Arne Slot, Eze would probably be a better signing.
“Gordon under Klopp would have probably been a better signing because he’s much more dynamic in terms of going forward than Eze. Whereas Eze is much better on the ball, coming short, getting the ball. You know, he’s more technical than Gordon. Anthony Gordon yes he would be great but I don’t think that we’re necessarily looking for players in those positions unless players leave. So yeah, if you can get a good young English player. Yeah. Why not?”
Adrien Rabiot on a free transfer can be a shrewd move
France international Adrien Rabiot is a player who’s out of contract and Barnes thinks that he could be a shrewd addition to the Liverpool locker room. Barnes doesn’t see Rabiot as a traditional holding midfielder but can see him doing a job in that position thanks to his skill set.
“Well, I think that that role is by playing at number six, that holding role. Rabiot, you know he doesn’t necessarily play as a holding midfield player. But he will defend. He got far with his team in France (at EURO 2024). He’s a good player.”
Considering that Liverpool can get him for free, Barnes sees Rabiot as a great value deal for Liverpool.
“He’s on a free. So he’s a good one to take because, you know, he’s always been consistent. So I wouldn’t mind seeing him come in.
“He’s good on the ball. He’s a good defensive midfield player who could also break forward and make passes. Not going to score many goals, but I think he’d be a good addition to the squad, particularly if he’s on a free.”
