John Barnes believes that Mason Mount would be a good option to bolster Liverpool's evolving midfield this summer.
But the Anfield legend is less fussed on Jurgen Klopp adding to his squad in January, insisting that teams that do are usually desperate, just like last weekend's opponents Chelsea.
The two sides are used to competing against each other at the top end of the table, but a drab 0-0 lunchtime stalemate on Saturday was perfectly reflective of a pair of struggling outfits currently lying ninth and tenth in the Premier League, something Barnes acknowledged.
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Speaking to the ECHO on behalf of Freebets.com, he said: "It was a cautious performance by both teams. In the past, first v third, second v third or first v second - you would have seen a much more dynamic performance at either end. But I think it’s a reflection of where they are at this moment in time. I think Liverpool would be quite happy and Chelsea would as well because they didn’t want to lose to either team.
“If you look at the make-up and profile of the players they have like Harvey Elliott - (Stefan) Bejcetic playing in midfield - whereby under normal circumstances you would have a much stronger team, Liverpool are going through a bit of a transition whereby they needed to bring in younger players.
"It would be great if we could have kept the 29, 30, 31-year-olds for the next two or three years, but of course there’s revolution in football. The young players who have come in have got great potential but with that you are going to see a team that is inconsistent and getting used to a system."
The Reds are widely believed to be planning to overhaul their midfield at the end of the season, with a number of players out of contract and significant individuals such as Jude Bellingham consistently linked with a move to Anfield to spearhead the evolution. One name that has come to the fore in recent weeks is Chelsea's Mason Mount. The 24-year-old has 18 months to go on his current contract and is yet to agree a new deal with the West London outfit.
He would also fall into the category of a home-grown player, which could be advantageous for Jurgen Klopp as he shuffles his squad accordingly and ex-winger Barnes is a fan of his versatility. When asked if Mount would be a good option for the Reds, he said: “Absolutely. He can play any of the front three positions or the midfield positions. He’s got a great attitude, he’s young, he’s English, he understands, he works really hard.
"But alongside Bellingham, (Declan) Rice - players like that - most of the players that we would want to come in to improve us now won’t be available in January.”
Liverpool's only midfield addition this season has been the loan signing of Arthur Melo from Juventus, but the Brazilian has not even played half an hour of first team football after tearing a quad muscle. There had been hope among supporters that Klopp would make a move for a fresh midfield option in the January transfer window, but the Liverpool manager himself has poured cold water over the prospect of that happening and Barnes was only too happy to support the German's stance.
Barnes said: “I’ve said it all along for years and years and I’m never going to change my mind. January is not a time to be signing unless you’re desperate. And even when you’re desperate you’re still not going to get the player that you want. If you’re a top player playing at a top European club your club isn’t going to sell you in January.
"Yes you can spend a lot of money in January and not improve. It’s when you have desperate clubs who need to make signings. I think that’s what Chelsea needed to do and that’s why they’ve spent all of that money. I think if you look at the players we have and the young players we have - yes we want certain players in and need to get those players but they aren’t necessarily going to be available in January.
“We have to also have respect for the team that we have. We’ve got a horrendous injury list and you also have to remember if we then sign someone in January, when those players become fit, if you look at the team then you’re going to have a lot of players to keep happy.
“I know Jurgen doesn’t like a big squad of superstar players, which he never has and he’s been successful without it and I don’t think he’s going to change now. If there’s one or two players we can pick up in January who we want in, fine. But if not, I’m quite happy with what we have.”
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