Liverpool are on the hunt to strengthen their midfield with Alexis Mac Allister on the way as per transfer rumours. Jurgen Klopp’s side has also been linked with a sensational swoop for Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes.
Redsl legend and former Newcastle star, John Barnes, gave his opinion on Mac Allister’s signing as well as the reported interest in Guimaraes. Barnes believes that any midfield signing that Liverpool make will be to get a new starter while he thinks that the Guimaraes rumours are pure speculation.
A player like Mac Allister walks straight into the starting XI
The former England international does not have any doubts that a player like Mac Allister will be brought in to go straight into the starting XI.
Barnes expands on that, saying that if Liverpool pursue a forward, that player would be more of a squad player as opposed to one who’s being brought in for the midfield.
“I think Alexis Mac Allister will come with a huge reputation and expectation to be a starter. When you’re signing a midfield player like him, they’re going to go straight into the team.”
“If we sign a forward, then he may have to fight for his place unless he’s the best forward in the world. But in the midfield, if it’s a player you want, he’s going to go straight into the team, a hundred percent.”
“Be it Caicedo, Declan Rice, be it any of them. I don’t think they’re going to sign midfield players to be part of the squad. Whereby if they sign a wide player, you could say that he’d be a squad player. If they’re signing a midfield player, he’s going to go straight into the team.”
Bruno Guimaraes is the right profile for Liverpool but it’s not going to happen
Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimaraes’ name was linked to Liverpool but Barnes doesn’t think that move will happen. He approves of his profile but cannot see Newcastle letting go of their star man.
“I think Bruno Guimaraes is the right profile but I don’t think it will happen at all.”
“I think this is pure speculation. It’s just pure paper talk.”
“Guimaraes is a spectacular player but I don’t think Newcastle will let him go. But of course, we’re after midfield players and he’s one of the best in the Premier League and he’ll be a great signing but I don’t think it’s gonna happen.”
Fabio Carvalho can go out on loan
The Liverpool icon also spoke about Fabio Carvalho’s development. The midfielder was linked to a move away from the club but that was shot down.
Barnes thinks that Carvalho could go out on loan as he can be an important part of Liverpool’s future but in the current scenario, he needs minutes which will be hard to get at his parent club.
“Well, Fabio Carvalho may go out on loan. They haven’t said that they want to “sell” him. They do see him as a big part of the future of Liverpool.”
“It’s going to be difficult for him to get into one of the positions in midfield as you can see the players that we have but the club will want him to get some experience.”
“So as much as he won’t play a big prominent part, they do feel that in the future he will so that is why it seems to me that they will allow him to go out on loan. But they never said they’re going to sell him.”
