Liverpool sent clear Mason Mount message amid blunt January transfer claim

Liverpool sent clear Mason Mount message amid blunt January transfer claim

John Barnes would rather Liverpool waited until the summer rather than signing a player they don’t really want this month.

According to John Barnes, adding Mason Mount to Liverpool’s developing midfield this summer would be a wise move.

The Anfield veteran, however, is less concerned with Jurgen Klopp bolstering his squad in January, claiming that such clubs are typically desperate, much like Chelsea, Klopp’s opponents from last weekend.

Mason Mount(Getty images)

Barnes noted that although the two teams are accustomed to competing against one another at the top of the standings, their dull 0-0 draw at midday on Saturday was entirely representative of their current Premier League standings of ninth and tenth.

Speaking to the ECHO on behalf of Freebets.com, he said: “It was a cautious performance by both teams. In the past, first v third, second v third or first v second – you would have seen a much more dynamic performance at either end.

“But I think it’s a reflection of where they are at this moment in time. I think Liverpool would be quite happy and Chelsea would as well because they didn’t want to lose to either team.

“If you look at the make-up and profile of the players they have like Harvey Elliott – (Stefan) Bejcetic playing in midfield – whereby under normal circumstances you would have a much stronger team, Liverpool are going through a bit of a transition whereby they needed to bring in younger players.

“It would be great if we could have kept the 29, 30, 31-year-olds for the next two or three years, but of course there’s revolution in football.

“The young players who have come in have got great potential but with that you are going to see a team that is inconsistent and getting used to a system.”

When asked if Mount would be a good option for the Reds, he said: “Absolutely. He can play any of the front three positions or the midfield positions. He’s got a great attitude, he’s young, he’s English, he understands, he works really hard.

“But alongside Bellingham, (Declan) Rice – players like that – most of the players that we would want to come in to improve us now won’t be available in January.”

In other news, CONFIRMED: Liverpool held talks with Jude Bellingham and Enzo Fernandez ahead of possible summer transfer