If John Barnes is at his peak !

[reds123]

Let's imagine Barnes at his peak. What a great player he was! Described by footballers who played with him as - the most complete talent they have played with - he had everything to make him such a great footballer!

Yet he is so underrated by the media when talking about the best players of the past. They talk abour Gascoigne, Charlton, Best...

More shocking is the fact that at his peak Barnes was for instance not in the first eleven against the team that played West Germany in the World Cup of 1990.

Back to the first point - who will you compare Barnes' talents today? Ronaldo? Messi?

[Shaggy]

I'm pretty sure Barnes wasn't 100% fit for the World Cup semi in 1990, he'd got injured in the Belgium game.

But I agree he is very much underrated by non-LFC fans.

[ronanm]

Barnes was sh1t for Engerland, bar the goal vs. Brazil. Think the racist chants didn't help.

[reds123]

Barnes perhaps hadnt' the best games for England but Bobby Robson wasn't flexible in his tactics as Dalglish was for Liverpool. So Barnes suffered!

What has Messi done up to now for Argentina? And Ronaldo for Portugal?

[Exiled_red]

Barnes never reached the levels of performance with England that he reached with Liverpool that is true, perhaps that's because of the tactics as reds123 said or the racism who knows.

I think his record with England is respectable if you look at the stats 11 goals in 79 games (1 goal every 7.2 games) is comparable with David Beckham (also a winger and taker of freekicks etc) someone who was touted as England's saviour in his era in the England team, Bechkam's record is 17 goals in 115 appearencs (1 goal every 6.8 games). Now before anyone has a pop at me for the comparison. Barnes is IMO a much better player than Beckham but in terms of media image and their time in the England team they have similar achievements but will be remembered very differently.

[Craig_H]

I rate Barnes as probably the 4th best player to pull on the red shirt. At least, that i've seen anyway. Absolutely superb.

At his peak now, he would easily fetch £60m+. And he'd be courted by everyone, Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, City, the red mancs. Everyone in the world.

He was more direct than Messi, as in, he'd just beat men with power and pace, more than 'twinkle toes' type of control and skill - but that's not to say he didnt have it, because he did. He was more powerful than Messi is, but didnt have the same level of goalscoring as Messi does.

It's a measure of how good Barnes was, that i cannot think of another winger who has even come close to him, since his peak in the late 80s/early 90s. And i dont just mean at Liverpool. I literally mean in the world.

[RichC]

I rate Barnes as probably the 4th best player to pull on the red shirt. At least, that i've seen anyway. Absolutely superb.

At his peak now, he would easily fetch £60m+. And he'd be courted by everyone, Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, City, the red mancs. Everyone in the world.

He was more direct than Messi, as in, he'd just beat men with power and pace, more than 'twinkle toes' type of control and skill - but that's not to say he didnt have it, because he did. He was more powerful than Messi is, but didnt have the same level of goalscoring as Messi does.

It's a measure of how good Barnes was, that i cannot think of another winger who has even come close to him, since his peak in the late 80s/early 90s. And i dont just mean at Liverpool. I literally mean in the world.

In his pomp he was simply awesome - perhaps only Kenny, Gerrard and maybe Rush ahead of him for me.

[Craig_H]

Was thinking maybe Souness, from the little i've seen of him.

But Barnes was simply a phenomena. If we had him at his peak now, we'd probably win the title.

[RichC]

Was thinking maybe Souness, from the little i've seen of him.

But Barnes was simply a phenomena. If we had him at his peak now, we'd probably win the title.

Didn't see enough of Souness myself but Rushy I loved, like a magnet when it came to the ball and goals, he really was!

Barnes at his peak playing for us now - christ we'd certainly be right in contention and turning down so very large offers for him I'd imagine as well !

[Lecter]

Barnes is the third best LFC player I've seen

Behind Gerrard who is 2nd and Kenny who imo is streets ahead of either of them

Met Barnes one time whilst out in town years ago (he was with a load of LFC players in Chauffeurs - FLMAO), me and my mate stood talking to him for about 20 minutes. My mate asked him outright why he was ****ing **** for England he replied "Because England dont have Ronnie Whelan in the midfield". Whelan was stood next to him at the time but after he had gone he said Whelan and the other midfielders/defenders were told to get the ball to Barnes as early as possible (first time balls if possible) so that he could have more time to do his stuff

He said he never got that for England and that invariably when he got in possession for England he had 2 or 3 players tight on him

[Craig_H]

I'd be so star struck if i met Barnes Such a legend and a massive hero of mine.

[Tee]

I'd be so star struck if i met Barnes Such a legend and a massive hero of mine.

I did and I feel very fortunate to have met the man. Totally in awe of the legend. An awesome sight in his prime and near on unplayable at his majestic best.

My Watford supporting brother keeps reminding me that he was a Watford player when he scored in the Maracana.

[saj]

I'd be so star struck if i met Barnes Such a legend and a massive hero of mine.

I saw him once, he walked past me in Leicester square in London 3 years ago - he is one fat *******

[PTP]

I did and I feel very fortunate to have met the man. Totally in awe of the legend. An awesome sight in his prime and near on unplayable at his majestic best.

My Watford supporting brother keeps reminding me that he was a Watford player when he scored in the Maracana.

i've met him numerous occasions - at melwood as a kid, in a park on the wirral were he was with his kids (then babies) and he had a little kickabout with me and my dad)

and then i have seen him in and around Heswall loads of times

He is a legend.

[IN_RAFA_WE_TRUST]

I saw him once, he walked past me in Leicester square in London 3 years ago - he is one fat *******

He'd still beat you 1 on 1 at football.