John Barnes is grinning like a Cheshire cat with the backdrop of a few Xmas trees previously up in his house on the Wirral. He is pondering a query more than how Jurgen Klopp’s group of superstars compares to the excellent Liverpool aspect he performed in.
‘Well, I’m 60 a long time old now and I experience it just about every time I bend more than to tie my shoelaces or walk up the stairs… so I’d be on the bench,’ he laughs. ‘When I was 59 I felt 50, then two times later on I’m 60. The psychological facet of possessing a six ahead of my age… I have obtained to get my head all around that!’
Barnes is here to discuss about Liverpool and England but it is difficult to chat to the previous ahead with no initially conversing about his other love… rapping. The star of Anfield Rap and Globe In Movement has a new keep track of out, a rap – or wrap – about recycling Excellent Street wrappers.
‘I get stopped in the street by youngsters but it’s not due to the fact I was a footballer,’ he says. ‘They occur up to me and say, “You’re that person from the rap”. Everybody bangs on about the England 1 but I reckon the Liverpool one particular for the 1988 FA Cup remaining was just as great.
‘It got to No 3 in the charts. Craig Johnston at Liverpool was nuts and preferred us to rap for the Cup last. It wouldn’t materialize these days… consider Mo Salah defeat-boxing! This new a single and the Anfield a person have been a bit of enjoyment but the New Get one was a correct fantastic tune.
Liverpool legend John Barnes insisted his former club can obstacle on all fronts this season
The ‘refreshed’ Reds are using on Manchester City in a crunch clash on Saturday lunchtime
Mail Sport’s job interview arrives following Barnes reignited his rap occupation and teamed up with Good quality Avenue to stimulate individuals to recycle their rappers (and wrappers) more than the festive period of time
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‘Listen, there ended up a handful of alcoholic beverages likely spherical 1 day and Keith Allen explained to me, “Let’s publish a rap”. Gazza (Paul Gascoigne) was there, Peter Beardsley experienced a go, but I did it. You have got to maintain and give but do it at the right time!
‘The track is legendary, youthful people today never know I’m a footballer but know I did the rap. The only bad thing was we did not foresee how huge it was heading to get so we didn’t indication up for any royalties! We just split a small rate in between 25 of us.
‘This new a person for Top quality Avenue is a little bit of enjoyable for an significant marketing campaign. We have been motivated by Biggie Smalls and P Diddy’s Mo Cash Mo Complications and did it in a psychedelic dome. Xmas is my favorite time of calendar year, we usually get in the exact same pyjamas.’
Following conversing about No 1 hits in the tunes charts, Mail Sport now asks if Barnes’ former club Liverpool can finish No 1 in the Leading League this time, with the Reds 1 place at the rear of leaders Manchester Metropolis likely into Saturday’s crunch clash at the Etihad Stadium.
‘Liverpool can challenge on all fronts. We’re pretty near to the prime in the league, FA Cup we’re in the best two or number of to earn it. We are favourites to acquire the Europa League and nonetheless in the League Cup. I assume us to thrust Manchester Metropolis all the way this yr in the Premier League, although.
‘Last year was a transitional period of time in terms of age and posture. We couldn’t get the correct midfielders so we failed to buy for the sake of it. We experienced a good deal of forwards like (Cody) Gakpo, (Luis) Diaz and (Darwin) Nunez but the midfield was finding previous their most effective.
‘We trusted Jurgen so a great deal and knew he would get the midfield circumstance appropriate. Now (Alexis) Mac Allister and (Dominik) Szoboszlai have improved us immensely. The age and balance of the workforce is significantly superior, it’s refreshed and we can push City yet again.
‘But the game at the Etihad is big. To be the most effective you’ve acquired to conquer the relaxation. We can drive them all the way but they are a amazing side. I recall when we completed second on 97 factors. Was that a failure? Of class not.
Barnes, 60, is maybe as nicely-recognised for his rap in New Order’s 1990 smash hit Globe in Movement as his amazing taking part in vocation (pictured in the online video)
The ex-England star hailed Mohamed Salah as one particular of the greatest legends in the club’s historical past
He also heaped praise on the way Jurgen Klopp reshaped his squad during the summer
‘Mo (Salah) won’t score as lots of as he utilised to but that’s due to the fact Darwin is in the center now, whereas it applied to be Bobby (Firmino) who was a lot more a creator than a finisher. But Mo has stepped up with extra helps, he is super.
‘Mo is proper up there with the ideal now in terms of Liverpool legends. Kenny (Dalglish) and Stevie (Gerrard) had longevity. But if Mo stays for a number of extra yrs, he will finish right up there with the legends.’
Speaking of legends, Barnes performed – and rapped – with a number of in his time so when asked to title a 5-a-side staff of previous crew-mates, he politely asks if he can make it six-a-side to match them all in!
‘Bruce Grobelaar in purpose. Steve Nicol and Alan Hansen at the again. Glenn Hoddle and Stevie G in midfield of program, have to involve equally of all those. And again an straightforward a person, Ian Hurry up entrance. Kenny Dalglish as gaffer and I’ll be on the bench!’