GET SET TO KOP PEP BACKLASH WARNS CARRA
narrative would be they were weak and would concede. Van Dijk just brings confidence and calm.
“He is a big, strong boy and he is good in the air.
“When I said about how he could deal with the physicality of what we had to deal with in the 80s, forget someone like Alan Shearer, he is not going to turn around and elbow you in the face when no one is looking.
“Van Dijk could handle a Mick Harford, someone like that.
“He has the size and strength to adapt to any game.”
Barnes scored the goal that secured the title on the night the club last became champions, with a 2-1 win at home to QPR in April 1990.
Ian Rush netted the other and while the poacher extraordinaire remains in a class of his own, Barnes reckons Liverpool fans are now getting a
Today, 7pm, Sky Sports & Sky One glimpse of the closest thing to Kenny Dalglish.
Firmino’s signing from Hoffenheim in the summer of 2015 was one of
Brendan Rodgers’ final acts as boss. Klopp, his successor, has enjoyed the benefits of that shrewd piece of business and Barnes said: “Firmino is our most technical player.
“We have Mane and Salah who are both quick and strong and score goals because both are so direct.
“With Firmino he brings something extra to the team, he is not an out-and-out centre-forward like Michael Owen, Robbie Fowler or Rush were.
“He is a real Kenny Dalglish type of player – that’s who he reminds me of.
“Firmino plays with his back to goal and holds defenders off with his strength and then has the cleverness to bring those around him into play at the right times.”
And just like Van Dijk, Barnes would have loved to have been there alongside him.
JAMIE CARRAGHER has warned Liverpool to beware a Man City storm next season.
Jurgen Klopp is on the brink of taking the title to Anfield for the first time in 30 years, after Pep Guardiola had claimed back-to-back Premier League crowns for the Blues.
Carragher expects the new Merseyside-Manchester rivalry to dominate at the top of the table next season.
And his message to Kop boss Klopp is that building the kind of dynasty that saw Liverpool become the most dominant football force in England during the 70s and 80s is an even more daunting task than ending his club’s three-decade quest for the trophy they covet most.
Carragher said: “I certainly don’t see Liverpool doing what they did in the 1970s and 1980s and what Manchester United did in the 1990s.
“In fact, if City go back to being what they were in the previous two years they could easily win the next two or three titles.
“But I do think it will be a fight between City and Liverpool for the title for the next couple of years.
“It will take United and Chelsea at least another 12 months to get to the level of Liverpool and City.
“But I also think it will be difficult for both Liverpool and City to dominate for a long period – and this season has proved it.
“With City claiming the most points anyone has ever got two years ago and then winning the league again last season, I actually thought they might win four titles on the bounce.
“That it hasn’t quite happened for them this season, I think is a testament to Liverpool.
“So while I think it could be an era of domination for those two clubs, I can’t see just one club dominating alone.”
Carragher feels Liverpool’s title win will be about the brilliance of Klopp’s team – and City’s failure to keep up the pace that saw them post 198 points in two seasons.
He said: “I did fear for the league in terms of what City and Guardiola had done in the last two years.
“But no club has ever won four titles in a row – even the great Liverpool and United teams.
“Something stops them, whether it’s mentality or another team coming back at them.
“I made a statement two years ago that City would win four of the next five titles.
“But I also said there would be one year when they dropped off – and that Liverpool had to be ready.
“Well City have massively dropped off this season.
“But I don’t think that it would have made much difference even if they had been their normal selves.
“That’s how good Liverpool have been.”
City have won five of the last six domestic trophies on offer – but are yet to lift the Champions League.
And with the Court of Arbitration for Sport set to decide next month whether to uphold the two-year European ban handed down by UEFA for financial irregularities, it could prove to be a watershed moment for both the club and boss Guardiola (below).
The Catalan has just a year left on his contract – and midfield star Kevin De Bruyne has already hinted that he will consider his future if the full two-season ban is upheld.
Carragher (bottom) said: “It could affect City in terms of attracting players – and I think De Bruyne has been quoted as saying he will look at the situation.
“For players in the prime of their career, the Champions League is the one thing City will probably need on their CV.
“But I also think it could help City in terms of the league if they had no European football next season.
“I don’t think that one season is going to affect them too much.
“But if it’s two years, then I think that could be a bit of a problem.”