Last week saw Liverpool’s rebuild begin with the announcement of their first summer signing in Argentinian World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister. However, there’s still work to be done by the Reds if they are to close the gap between themselves and Manchester City. We caught up with former Liverpool John Barnes to discuss the signing of Mac Allister and where else Liverpool need to recruit this summer.
£35m for Alexis Mac Allister is a steal
World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister has completed his move to Liverpool for an initial fee of around £35m. Having enjoyed a fine season with Brighton, Mac Allister found himself in high demand heading into this summer.
Liverpool quickly acted and secured the services of the Argentinian. Liverpool fans will be hoping Mac Allister will bring his high technical security on the ball as well as his tenacity off it.
Barnes is delighted with the signing of Mac Allister and believes the fee Liverpool are reported to be paying is a steal considering the high numbers touted for players of his ability.
“Alexis Mac Allister is definitely a steal.”
“Brighton are very shrewd in the transfer market. They buy players and they sell them for more money.”
“By today’s standard, Mac Allister is a bargain signing. A World Cup winner at 24 years of age with his quality and Premier League experience. It’s a great signing.”
Kone fit’s the category of what Liverpool need in midfield
Reputable transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has reported that Liverpool are interested in French midfielder Manu Koné who is a defensive midfielder by trade and at 22 would be a long term project for the club.
The Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder is said to be valued at roughly £30m which would be viewed as another intelligent piece of business by the club if a move were to arise. Kone is signing that Barnes feels meets the criteria of where Liverpool need to improve ahead of next season. Kone alongside the signing of Mac Allister would be a fantastic start to the summer window for Liverpool.
“I’ve been on record suggesting that Liverpool need a defensive midfielder.”
“Liverpool are fine in the attacking, creative and goalscoring parts of the field.”
“We now need to go back to the template of two or three years ago when we had hard working defensive midfielders like Wijnaldum, Henderson, Milner and Fabinho.”
“Kone fits that category so he would be a great signing for Liverpool.”
Thuram signing could re-energise Liverpool midfield
Another French midfielder that is said to be of interest to Liverpool is Khephren Thuram who can operate as an 8 or a 6 in midfield. As he is also aged 22 it seems as though Liverpool are looking to make their midfield younger and dynamic.
Barnes believes he can see Liverpool seeking to re-energise their side with younger, more dynamic and athletic players in the midfield area like Real Madrid have in recent seasons.
“The age of the players we are looking at is the exciting thing here.”
“What Liverpool are trying to do here reminds me of Real Madrid where they have Toni Kroos, Luka Modric but have now supplemented them with Eduardo Camavinga, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Bellingham and Valverde.”
“People spoke about the Real Madrid team getting old and now they’ve become younger and more dynamic.”
“That’s the right way to go about things and Thuram would be another welcomed addition alongside Kone.”
