The visit of Manchester United to Anfield on Sunday is worrying Liverpool legend John Barnes more than any other time in the past few seasons.
While Liverpool have struggled to get their Premier League campaign properly up and running for most of the season, Erik ten Hag's Red Devils quickly overcame a poor first two matches to steadily climb up the table and are now odds-on for a top-four finish, securing a return to the Champions League.
But Jurgen Klopp's side are now on a decent run of their own, having won three of their last four matches without conceding a goal, giving former Barnes hope for Sunday's crunch fixture, even if he is expecting a tough examination from the Reds' fiercest rivals. Victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday evening moved his old club up to sixth in the table, to within striking distance of the Champions League qualification places.
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And speaking to BonusCodeBets, Barnes said: “It was a much needed victory because we’ve got Manchester United this weekend and it’s probably the most worried I’ve been facing them, home or away in the last few years, cause they’re doing really well. First half was a bit flat. The crowd was a bit quiet.
“Second half, the disallowed goal probably sparked us into a bit of an intense way of playing that we’re used to. We scored soon after that. We saw a bit of the old Liverpool. Not to say that we’re back because of course, we’re still a bit inconsistent. But, it was a well-needed win and performance, particularly, in the second half, with the Man Utd game coming up."
Liverpool were handed extra incentive to do a number on United at Anfield this weekend when Manchester City beat Newcastle United 2-0 on Saturday, before Wolves sprung a surprise by beating fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 at home.
It means that three points for the Reds on Sunday, will not only move them above the Magpies for fifth in the table, but also put them just three points behind Spurs with a game in hand. Barnes remains hopefully of Champions League qualification being achieved but has accepted where Liverpool are roughly heading come the end of the season.
He said: “Well people talk about top four, and I’ve said this every single year, depending on who you are, top four, for certain teams, probably means fourth. For Liverpool this season, that’s probably what it’s going to be. Top two it’s gonna be Man City or Arsenal and Man Utd are pushing for the third spot.
“So Champions League is what we’re after and I think if you look at the way other teams have been inconsistent, as well as us, we have to hope we can get fourth.”
Mohamed Salah can become Liverpool's joint all-time record Premier League goal scorer if he finds the net just once against United on Sunday, equalling Robbie Fowler's tally of 128 goals. The Egyptian already has 22 goals to his name in all competitions this season - a feat he has now achieved for six consecutive seasons.
But Barnes would be happy for Salah to return much more modest figures as long as his side were still chalking up wins.
He added: “It’s a fantastic feat but what’s more important is the team. As much as he’s scored 20 goals, we are still not in the top four. I’d much rather Mo score less goals and us win matches and be in the top four than Mo scoring 30 goals and us not being in the top four. And Mo understands that.
“But yeah in terms of his numbers, they’ve been incredible. As much as this has been, probably his least consistent season, he’s still managed to score so many goals. He’s fantastic.”
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