Liverpool reportedly view 23-year-old English international Harvey Barnes as a long-term replacement for Senegalese superstar Sadio Mane.
According to the Spanish outlet Fichajes, Liverpool have earmarked Leicester City star Harvey Barnes as a long-term replacement for star winger Sadio Mane.
The Senegalese international was Jurgen Klopp’s first major signing after taking over as Liverpool manager. He has been a key component of the side that won the UEFA Champions League and the Premier League and has steadily established himself as one of the best players in the game.
Mane, however, suffered a dip in form during the 2020/21 campaign and is still some way from his best. At 29, he is not getting any younger, and the Reds appear to be preparing for life after the flying winger. In Barnes, Klopp could get himself a player who is proven in the Premier League and is also young.
At 23, the Englishman has the potential to become one of the best attacker in the Premeir League for years to come. Primarily a left-winger, the English international is also capable of playing in central midfield in an attacking capacity. While he is far from a prolific goalscorer, Barnes’s versatility should make him a solid addition to the Liverpool frontline.
His ability to cut inside and make short passes will see him gel well in the Liverpool model. The player has also shown a knack for doing layoffs and will help add chaos to the Reds’ overflowing attack.
Having come through the Foxes’ youth system, Barnes has established himself as a key player under Brendan Rodgers. Unfortunately, an injury cut short his 2020/21 campaign, possibly costing him a spot in the England squad for UEFA Euro 2020.
Klopp has built himself a steady reputation for improving players and getting the best out of them. The German often gets the best out of his players and did the same with Mane following his arrival from Southampton in 2016.
The Senegalese was a talented player but not yet world-class. Klopp immediately transformed into one of the most dangerous wingers on the planet. He could certainly repeat the trick with Barnes.
One of Klopp’s biggest challenges will be to rebuild what is a formidable but ageing Liverpool side. Diogo Jota and Ibrahima Konate’s arrivals and Harvey Elliot’s development would suggest that such a process is already in the works. Whether Barnes will be the player to continue Mane’s legacy at Anfield remains to be seen.
Liverpool’s frontline of Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah have been among the best-attacking trios the world has seen in recent years. Nigh on unplayable at their best; there has been a noticeable drop off in their performances.
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Of the three, it can be argued that only Salah has kept his impressive run going. Last summer, landing Diogo Jota gave Klopp a reliable alternative to Firmino. It remains to be seen if Barnes will have a similar impact should he join Liverpool and complete a move to Anfield.