Barnes: why PSG star wouldn’t get in this Liverpool team

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John Barnes insists there is no way Neymar would break into the Liverpool team under Jurgen Klopp.

The Brazilian endured a miserable Tuesday night at Anfield as his Paris Saint-Germain side started their Champions League campaign with a 3-2 defeat.

In the end, a one goal deficit flattered the French champions on the back of a toothless, disjointed and uninspiring team performance.

Whilst Liverpool flaunted a fierce intensity and team spirit, PSG suffered dearly from a lack of cohesion and togetherness.

Neymar was very much central to this as both he and Kylian Mbappe displayed a remarkable negligence to their defensive duties.

“It depends who the manager is – not with Jurgen Klopp,” Barnes told talkSPORT.

“I saw the interview Klopp gave last night, he spoke about the defensive work of the whole team, meaning the front three as well. A lot of people say Neymar is the best in the world, which may suit PSG or Man City or Barcelona.”

“But regardless of how good he is, there is no way he would suit Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp.”

Neymar – image by Liverpoolfc.com

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Neymar’s incompetence was at Trent Alexander-Arnold’s gain, with the right-back posing a constant and untracked threat down the right-hand side.

The same could be said for Andrew Robertson as the Scot capitalised on Mbappe’s own abandonment of his defensive responsibilities.

To see the world’s two most expensive footballer’s serve as such burdens to their teammates proved a refreshing reminder of the team work ethic Klopp has enforced at Liverpool.

It also warranted more recognition of the Reds’ front three and their efforts to both lead the press from the front and track back when required. This even applied to Daniel Sturridge, who earned high praise from his manager for his energy across the pitch.

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