John Barnes has urged Liverpool to prioritise signing Eberechi Eze over Anthony Gordon this summer.
The Reds have been linked with a move for the Newcastle United attacker, who could reportedly cost nearly £100m. However, considering their depth in the left-sided attacking position, such a move seems unnecessary unless Cody Gakpo or Luis Diaz were to leave, which appears highly unlikely this summer.
Eze is one of Crystal Palace’s standout players and is undoubtedly a fantastic talent. Nonetheless, the London club has already seen Michael Olise depart this summer and will be cautious about losing more key players.
There are rumours of a £60m fee that could secure Eze’s transfer, but he would join an already crowded midfield, making the move seem impractical.
Despite this, Barnes, speaking to mybettingsites, explained his rationale for preferring the Crystal Palace star over the Newcastle winger if a choice had to be made.
“I think that he would definitely be a fantastic signing for Liverpool if you could get him for £60 million. I mean it’s a lot of money, but in this day and age you look at the cost of other players and his age and I think that would be a great signing for Liverpool because I think he does have a lot to offer.
“Gordon will be a good signing but you can’t just keep signing players because you’ve got to keep them happy and if no one’s going to leave why would we keep signing players. If Liverpool were to make signings I think with Arne Slot, Eze would probably be a better signing.
“Gordon under Klopp would have probably been a better signing because he’s much more dynamic in terms of going forward than Eze. Whereas Eze is much better on the ball, coming short, getting the ball.
“You know, he’s more technical than Gordon. Anthony Gordon yes he would be great but I don’t think that we’re necessarily looking for players in those positions unless players leave. So yeah, if you can get a good young English player. Yeah. Why not?”
Gordon made a significant impact with the Magpies last season, scoring 12 goals and providing 11 assists across all competitions, including a goal against Liverpool at St James’ Park.
In contrast, Eze, 26, had his best season to date, tallying 11 goals and six assists while playing on both wings, in attacking midfield, and central midfield.
Had Liverpool not signed Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch last summer, a move for Eze would have been sensible.
However, with the added talents of Curtis Jones, Alexis Mac Allister, and Harvey Elliott, acquiring another midfielder seems unnecessary for at least the next year or two.
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