John Barnes backs Liverpool after lack of business in summer transfer window

John Barnes insists he understood why Liverpool didn’t make any high-profile signings, claiming there are a lack of players around who could make the team better.

Liverpool only signed back-up goalkeeper Adrian on a free transfer, as well as teenage centre back Sepp van den Berg from Holland and Fulham winger Harvey Elliott in the summer window. They have since added Andy Lonergan to their ranks to cover for the injured Alisson.  

Following their Champions League triumph at the beginning of June, which ended a seven-year trophy drought for the club, many thought they would kick on by making some more marquee signings.

UEFA Super Cup hero Adrian was one of three Liverpool signings during the summer window

But that wasn’t the case, with Jurgen Klopp more than happy with the squad at his disposal as they look to dominate English football and target more silverware.

And Barnes, who scored 108 goals in 407 appearances for the Reds, has backed Klopp by insisting Liverpool didn’t have to make signings to improve.

When asked if he was disappointed by Liverpool’s summer business, BonusCodeBets ambassador Barnes exclusively told Sportsmail: ‘Not at all, I don’t think there is anyone out there who can come into the first team. You could say you could get someone to supplement the squad.

‘Just look at Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and even Tottenham, they needed signings to go into the first XI but we don’t.

‘There is no one out there who is going to take the spots of the front three or the midfield three or the back four.’

Meanwhile, Klopp has some big players coming back into the fold this season following injury nightmares last campaign.

And Barnes, who won two First Division titles with Liverpool, as well as two FA Cups and one League Cup, claims they can make a big impact going forward.

‘Of course with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Joe Gomez coming back in, who didn’t play last year, they are like two new signings. So I don’t think Liverpool needed to make signings this summer.’

After falling agonisingly short in their bid to win their first ever Premier League title last season — losing out to Manchester City by one point — they will be determined to go one better this time round.

They started off their season with an emphatic 4-1 victory over newly-promoted Norwich, thanks to an own goal from Grant Hanley and goals from Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Divock Origi all in the first half.

Manager Jurgen Klopp refused to dip into the summer transfer market for the sake of it

Joe Gomez and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have boosted their squad after returning from injury

Their biggest rivals City responded in the best fashion possible, humiliating West Ham 5-0 at the London Stadium with Raheem Sterling grabbing a hat-trick.

But Barnes doesn’t believe the two teams will have it all their own way this season, with the chasing pack strengthening.

The 55-year-old added: ‘Liverpool can go one better but so can City and all teams. City are still favourites.

‘But I don’t expect Liverpool just to lose one game this season and get the same points and I don’t expect City to get the same points as last time.

‘If you look at United, Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea, they will be more consistent this year. I expect them (City and Liverpool) to be first and second but I don’t think they will run away with it as they did last season.’