Liverpool legend John Barnes thinks Jurgen Klopp should sign these two midfielders

Liverpool have had a relatively quiet time in the January transfer window so far, and Reds legend John Barnes thinks that should change with the addition of two midfield signings.

Star players Mohammad Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita are in action at the African Cup of Nations and the squad has also been disrupted by injuries and COVID-19 related absences.

However, Jurgen Klopp and his side are yet to make any significant additions to the team in January.

Barnes has suggested two big names that could possibly join Liverpool - although the former Red says any deal is more likely to be done in the summer, rather than January.

Jude Bellingham - £67.5 million*

Barnes has pinpointed Borussia Dortmund’s golden boy Jude Bellingham as an ideal candidate for the Liverpool midfield.

The 18-year-old joined the German giants from Birmingham City in 2020 and has been consistently brilliant at domestic and European level.

“Jude Bellingham would be a great acquisition for Liverpool, but I can’t see him coming in January, if at all,” said Barnes, speaking to BonusCodeBets.

Bellingham is highly touted for a move to Premier League title rivals Manchester City, with price tags of more than £60 million touted that  potentially rule out Liverpool.

Bellingham is regarded by many as having key attributes that would augment the Reds’ current midfield: tenacity, intelligence, quick feet and an eye for a goal.

*Transfer value via Transfermrkt

Yves Bissouma - £22.5 million*

Ex-England international Barnes says he is a massive fan of Brighton’s midfield maestro Yves Bissouma, who has been mightily impressive under Graham Potter.

The Malian has had a great season and proven himself to be a reliable and hardworking central midfielder, with his strengths in tackling, intercepting the ball. He would be a great option for Klopp’s team.

“Yves Bissouma, at Brighton, also fits the profile for one of Liverpool’s three midfielders. Those are two players that Liverpool should be looking at, but I can’t see either of them are going to happen in January, they’re ones for the future,” said Barnes.

The 25-year-old has been tipped to leave the south-coast club very soon and with just two years left on his contract, some elite clubs are circling.

Reports suggest that Brighton had set a £50m valuation for Bissouma ahead of the January transfer window, which might price the Merseyside club out of a move this winter at least.

“If we look at Manchester City, they will want a completely different type of player; someone who’s comfortable on the ball and who has a different profile,” stated Barnes.

“But for Liverpool, they want hard working midfielders who have a good work rate, high energy, a willingness to get up and down the pitch, and don’t dribble too much.

“Bellingham and Bissouma are two players that would suit Liverpool whereas other clubs might look at other options.”

However, it does look unlikely that Jurgen Klopp will bring any new faces to Anfield in January, but the jury is out ahead of the summer.Do you agree with John Barnes? Are these signings realistic? Would they make a difference? Let us know on our Liverpool Facebook page.

*Transfer value via Transfermrkt