Former Liverpool duo Steven Gerrard and Peter Crouch have hailed the ability of Inter Milan and Italy midfielder Nicolo Barella as he continues to be linked with a mega-money move to Anfield.
The 26-year-old starred as the Nerazzurri overcame their city rivals AC Milan in a pulsating first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie at the San Siro. Wednesday night's victory edges the three-time European Cup winners closer to a first final since 2010.
Since moving to the San Siro from Serie A outfit Cagliari in 2020, Barella has established himself as one of the most complete midfielders in the European game and has been linked with a move to the Premier League and most frequently Liverpool.
READ MORE: Man City owner Sheikh Mansour ploughs $750m into fund set up by key Liverpool and FSG partner
And ahead of Wednesday night's encounter, Barella's ability was rubber-stamped by the Reds' former captain, Gerrard, who admitted to being a fan of his after witnessing his qualities during England's Nations League game against Italy earlier this year.
"He did really well against the England midfield - your Jude Bellingham's and your Declan Rice's," said Gerrard.
"He's at a good age as well, coming into his prime and it's a big night for him coming up against one of his team-mates in Sandro Tonali and it will be interesting to see who comes out on top as we know the midfield area is so important."
Crouch, who played for Liverpool between 2005 and 2008 before moving back to Portsmouth, was then asked by BT Sport host Jake Humphreys if he agreed with Gerrard's assessment, to which he replied: "Yeah, he was crucial in the Benfica games. He's got great feet, tenacious as well and is decent in the tackle.
"The first game he was the difference. There's many, many admirers, Liverpool being one at the moment."
Earlier this year Goal.com claimed that both Jurgen Klopp and Pep Lijnders are admirers of Barella, who could, according to reports in Italy, be sold this summer if Inter Milan fail in their quest to qualify for the Champions League and subsequently left without the riches of Europe's premier competition.
Speaking ahead of the Reds' trip to the San Siro in February 2022 to face the 2021 Serie A winners, Klopp lauded Barella, telling reporters: "He's a really good player, a really good player and I like him a lot. He has all the things you want from a midfield player: he is aggressive, he is technical, he can run for ages and all these kinds of things. That's a top-class player."
Liverpool are expected to overhaul their midfield significantly this summer with the club recently pausing their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund and England star Jude Bellingham in favour of taking a more strategic approach to try and catapult themselves back to the top of both the Premier League and Champions League next season.
After ending their interest in the 19-year-old, as reported by the ECHO last month, Barella has - along with Manuel Ugarte, Conor Galagher, Ryan Gravenberch and Mason Mount - been named as an alternative target the Reds could target as they prepare to say goodbye James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita.
EAD NEXT:
Jurgen Klopp has all the evidence he needs for Liverpool's mid-season Barcelona break
Rio Ferdinand and Michael Owen snub Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp in BT Sport debate
Jorg Schmadtke's 'poor but sexy' strategy saw him sign 'mad' Liverpool striker Jamie Carragher loves
Dean Smith changes Leicester City plans ahead of crucial Liverpool clash
Liverpool make Premier League request as £80m Anfield Road opening date moves nearer
