Liverpool are plotting a move for Leicester City winger Harvey Barnes, as Jurgen Klopp looks to plan for the future.
A product of the Leicester City academy, Harvey Barnes, 23, was one of the club’s shining stars last season, scoring nine goals and registering four assists on top of that in 25 Premier League appearances. After returning from an impressive six-month loan spell with West Brom during the 2018/19 campaign, the speedy winger has become a crucial cog in Brendan Rodgers’ Foxes side.
Although the one-cap England international is yet to open his account this season, he was the standout performer for Leicester City against Arsenal at the King Power Stadium on Saturday after coming on as a second-half substitute. To date, Barnes has made 110 appearances for the Midlands outfit, bagging 23 goals and supplying 17 assists.
The 23-year-old’s performances under the Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers haven’t gone unnoticed, with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp viewing him as the ideal player to complement Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota.
Jurgen Klopp wants competition for Liverpool’s famed front three
Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino have been fantastic for Liverpool over the last few years, destroying Premier League as well as European defences with their pace, power, link-up play and movement. After an underwhelming last season that saw Liverpool go trophyless, the trio still retains their status as Jurgen Klopp’s undisputed starters in front of goal.
However, none of the Reds’ front three are getting younger, and with both Salah and Mane set to leave for AFCON in January, Klopp should bring in attacking reinforcements when the transfer window reopens in January.
Is Harvey Barnes the right fit at Anfield?
To put things into perspective, Liverpool have set their sights on Harvey Barnes and Liverpool’s long-term future under Jurgen Klopp would be in safe hands if the Merseysiders manage to sign the talented winger.
Barnes is one of the young, exciting and dynamic English prospects thriving under Brendan Rodgers at Leicester City. Blessed with explosive pace and loads of energy, the left-winger never hesitates to take on his marker and beat him with his burst of acceleration, movement or trickery. He is a good dribbler with the ball at his feet, can link play well, create chances and chip in with important goals.
While it must be conceded that the 23-year-old isn’t necessarily the most prolific winger in the English top-flight, the fact remains that he still comes up with a good number of goal contributions for the Foxes. In addition, Barnes’ energy and work rate off the ball is excellent, making him a perfect fit for Klopp’s system at Anfield.
When potentially paired with Mane and Salah up front, the sheer pace, trickery and movement that the trio would bring into the team would be unbelievable for Liverpool fans. At 23, the one-cap England international has a long way to go in his career and he could fulfill his massive potential under the astute guidance of Klopp at Liverpool.
All in all, Klopp won’t have to be worried about his attacking options anytime shortly if the Reds manage to thrash out a deal with Leicester City for Barnes in 2022.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.