According to a recent report by The Daily Mirror, Liverpool are keeping a keen eye on Leicester City wide player Harvey Barnes ahead of the summer transfer window. The same source has also claimed that the Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has been impressed ‘with his energy and forceful running’ and reckons that the best is yet to come from the Burnley-born youngster.
Barnes’ Impressive Form For The Foxes This Season
Barnes has enjoyed an incredible season at the King Power Stadium after establishing himself as a key component of Brendan Rodgers’ attack over the past ten months. He has scored seven goals and provided nine assists in 41 appearances for the Foxes this term across all competitions which sheds light on his growing influence in the final third.
The 22-year-old has caught the eye for his attacking contributions and has done well to average 1.7 shots, 1.0 key passes and 1.2 dribbles per game in the Premier League this season. However, his ball-distribution in the opposition half has a lot of room for improvement after he completed only 79.5% of his attempted passes in league football (stats via whoscored).
Barnes has also represented England at various youth levels but is yet to earn his first senior cap for Gareth Southgate’s side. Maybe a summer switch to Liverpool could offer him the platform to showcase his skills at the highest level and secure a place in the Three Lions’ squad for next year’s UEFA European Championship finals.
What Will The English Winger Add To Jurgen Klopp’s Side?
Barnes can use his pace and agility to make some driving runs with the ball down the left flank. He can also get into some promising areas in the attacking third and has proven himself to be a capable source for goals from the left side of Rodgers’ attack. The English prospect has also netted his fair share of goals this season which has made him such a fan-favourite at the King Power Stadium.
Recruiting a player of Barnes’ potential could prove to be a shrewd addition to the Liverpool squad in the long-run. At the moment, the Leicester attacker will find it difficult to break into Klopp’s first-team. However, the English wide player has what it takes to be a useful squad player at Anfield in the coming seasons.
Barnes will not only add more pace and creativity to Klopp’s midfield but also enhance the overall depth of his squad. Plus, he will increase competition for the likes of Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Takumi Minamino and Divock Origi for a starting place at Merseyside in the upcoming campaign.
With all things considered, Barnes could turn out to be a welcome acquisition for the Reds this summer as he will also serve as an ideal replacement for Adam Lallana, who is close to leaving the Anfield-based club at the end of this campaign.
