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‘We can’t compete salary wise’ – John Barnes discusses Liverpool title hopes

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Former Liverpool striker John Barnes has lifted the lid on the club’s title hopes ahead of the new Premier League season, admitting that they ”can’t compete salary wise.”

Boss Jurgen Klopp has splashed the cash this summer on a number of signings, but he is also keen on finding a new number ten to enhance his attacking threat in order to challenge for the title after finishing 25 points below 2017/18 champions Manchester City.

The Kop legend was quoted by the Express as saying: “Man City were 25 points ahead of Liverpool, they’re ahead of everyone. Our XI could compete but when you talk about a squad, to fight on all fronts and win the league, it’s behind.”

So far this summer, Klopp has signed Naby Keita, Fabinho, Xherdan Shaqiri and Allison, but Barnes admits that the club are not competing when it comes to the salary front compared to the other big clubs.

“It’s not a question of how many players, the quality of player isn’t determined by transfer fees, it’s salaries. The problem we have is we can’t compete salary wise. The way that Klopp plays, we don’t have to spend big and pay high salaries for him to maximise potential,” Barnes says.

“If we needed to, we could have finished second [last season]. I would fancy us to finish second next year.”

OPINION

Based on the signings he has made this summer, it would be a surprise if Liverpool cannot finish at least second in the league next season, as predicted by Barnes. Manchester City are clearly going to be favourites once again after their triumphs last term saw them break the 100 point barrier for the first time in Premier League history, but there is no reason why the Reds cannot compete with them. The Citizens may have world-class players amongst their ranks, but so do Liverpool – and they could be the difference between winning or losing the title. However, Barnes is right in saying that the club cannot compete salary wise compared to their close rivals, but Klopp has proved that it is not essential for the club to pay high salaries to get the best out of their players. In the future that is something Liverpool may have to do, but for now it is not necessary as they look to mount a sustained title challenge next season. 

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