Barnes optimistic but cautious about Liverpool�s chances
Mqondisi Dube | Friday April 11, 2014 11:15
A left footed midfielder of note during his playing days, Barnes said Liverpool should be content even if they do not finish as champions.
“They have done well, even if they finish third. I urge the Liverpool fans not to be disappointed if they don’t finish first,” he said. Liverpool are top of the Barclays Premier League with a two-point gap ahead of Chelsea, but face a daunting task against third placed Manchester City on Sunday. City have two games in hand.
Barnes said for the first time in 24 years, Liverpool is playing with desire and triumphed bogey matches.
“Liverpool performances gives more hope,” he said. He said Liverpool has relied mostly on 13 players throughout the season but amazingly played consistently well.
The Liverpool bench is not the strongest particularly compared to its title rivals, Chelsea and Manchester City.
On star player, Luis Suarez, Barnes said any new development regarding a move away from Anfield will not surprise him. The striker was keen to leave during the off season, but was dissuaded from doing so. Barnes expects the Uruguyan to stay but said this is not guaranteed.
“I urge Liverpool players to be loyal to the club and not players,” he cautioned.
Speaking about African football, Barnes said it is crucial for the continent to continue shipping the best talent to Europe. “In this way, the players will grow since they will compete with the best. We can’t keep (Didier) Drogba to play for ASEC Mimosa, let him go to Europe and grow,” Barnes said.
He said when Pele predicted that an African team will one day win the World Cup, he was looking at the players’ physical attributes. He said what is lacking is the mental strength.
“Once we marry both, it is possible that an African country will win the World Cup.” Barnes visited Ramotswa on Tuesday as part of Standard Chartered Bank’s Community Social Responsibility initiatives.