Jurgen Klopp is maximising Liverpool's potential, says club legend John Barnes
Tuesday 16 May 2017 09:08, UK
Jurgen Klopp has got Liverpool "punching above their weight", according to Reds legend John Barnes.
Liverpool's sparkling display in Sunday's 4-0 win at West Ham sent them third ahead of the last game of the season at home to already-relegated Middlesbrough at Anfield.
The Reds have already picked up 13 points more than last season and two-time title winner Barnes puts Liverpool's improvement down to the feel-good factor instilled by Klopp.
"I think Liverpool will finish in the top four," Barnes told Sky Sports.
"Jurgen Klopp is maximising the potential of that squad and he's got them punching above their weight.
"If you look at Liverpool's squad generally and compare it to Chelsea, Man City, Man Utd and Arsenal - you can see he [Klopp] is doing a fantastic job because the harmony is there and everything is positive."
Defender Joel Matip - signed on a free transfer last year - has been a revelation at Anfield this season and Barnes is convinced Klopp can unearth a few more gems in the transfer market this summer.
"We have to trust the manager to sign the right players," he said.
"I don't want to speculate on names but I think we need a left-back, another centre-back and a striker."
Barnes was speaking at the Indian Gymkhana club, who count Seoul Olympics hockey gold medallist Kulbir Bhaura and England U19s cricketer Amar Virdi as part of their alumni.
The Liverpool legend took part in a Q&A session with supporters at an event which forms part of the west London sports club's centenary celebrations.
"It was a fantastic evening," said Barnes, who was presented with an Indian Gymkhana No 10 shirt by members.
"It's great to come and spend an evening at a club like this and amazing to think it has been around for 100 years."
Club secretary, Suntantar Soni, added: "We were very proud to host John Barnes at Indian Gymkhana. We are a multiracial sports club with a rich history spanning more than a century.
"It was wonderful for so many of our members to get the chance to interact with a real legend of the game."
