Thursday 19 January 2017

Liverpool legend, John Barnes reveals his all-time Liverpool XI - and it proves life existed before the Premier League

The Liverpool legend was in the last Liverpool side to win the old First Division in 1990, and his all-time best Reds XI goes to show just how good the good ol' days were
SporTainment
This man's best XI was always going to be good, wasn't it? (Photo: Allsport/Liverpool FC/Getty)
As Liverpool fans are only too aware, it has been a long time since the club celebrated a league title.
It is 27 years since a Reds team were last parading the trophy English teams prize above all others, but that wait surely wouldn't have been as long as that if they had more players like John Barnes.
The quicksilver winger was one of the very best players of his generation, and he won two league titles, two FA Cups and the League Cup during his 10-year Anfield career.
When asked by the Daily Mail to name a best XI of players he played with during his Liverpool playing days, it is no surprise that Barnes reeled off an impressive list of names.
And a list which was very much based in the pre-Premier League era.
Here's his team:
Goalkeeper: Bruce Grobbelaar
The eccentric goalkeeper was a dependable last line of defence who won six league titles and the European Cup.
Right-back: Rob Jones
The only member of Barnes' XI without a league title, dependable right-back Jones famously never scored in 243 appearances at Anfield.
Centre-back: Alan Hansen
He didn't think you could win anything with kids, but the former pundit did win 23 major trophies over 14 years with Liverpool.
Centre-back: Mark Lawrenson
Hansen's former punditry partner was also his former defensive partner, and he won the league in five of his seven seasons with the Reds.
Left-back: Steve Nicol
The versatile Scot was a key player at Anfield in the 1980s, and often chipped in with some vital goals.
Right midfield: Ray Houghton
The hard-working Irishman was a key component in the 1987/88 team which many claim was Liverpool's best ever. He won two league titles.
Centre midfield: Steve McMahon
After starting his career at Everton, the Scouser became a hard man in the middle of the Reds midfield, winning nine major honours with the club.
Centre midfield: Jan Molby
Liverpool's Great Dane is one of the club's greatest ever foreign players, and combined brilliant passing ability with a ferocious shot, winning three league titles.
Left midfield: Ronnie Whelan
After moving over from Ireland as a teenager for just £35,000, Whelan went on to become one of Liverpool's longest serving players, winning six league titles and the European Cup.
Forward: Peter Beardsley
Although only at Anfield for four years, Beardsley certainly left his mark on the club. Operating as a highly-skilful second striker, he won two league titles and the FA Cup.
Forward: Ian Rush
Liverpool's all-time leading scorer, Welshman Rush was undoubtedly one of the greatest forwards of his generation. He won 18 major medals with Liverpool, and was the club's top scorer in eight different seasons.
What a team, eh Reds fans?
Surely that title wait would be over if Jurgen Klopp could pick this XI every week?
John Barnes is brand ambassador for Bonuscodebets.co.uk, the site that searches out the best bonuses to help punters build their betting bankroll and beat the bookies.

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