EXCLUSIVE: John Barnes insists ‘refreshed’ Liverpool CAN challenge on all fronts this year as the Reds legend names his dream five-a-side team of former team-mates

John Barnes grins like a Cheshire cat against the backdrop of three Christmas trees already in his Wirral home. He ponders how Jurgen Klopp’s team of superstars compares to the great Liverpool where he played.

“Well, I’m 60 years old now and I feel it every time I bend over to tie my shoes or walk up the stairs… so I’d be sitting on the couch,” he laughs. ‘When I was 59 I felt 50, and two days later I’m 60. The psychological aspect of having a six before my age… I have to figure that out!’

Barnes is here to talk Liverpool and England, but it’s hard to talk to the former striker without first talking about his other love: rapping. The star of Anfield Rap and World In Motion has released a new song, a rap – or wrap – about recycling Quality Street packaging.

“I get stopped by kids on the street, but it’s not because I’m a football player,” he says. ‘They come to me and say: “You’re the guy from rap”. Everyone talks about the English one, but I think the Liverpool version for the 1988 FA Cup final was just as cool.

‘It reached number 3 in the charts. Craig Johnston at Liverpool was crazy and wanted us to rap for the cup final. That wouldn’t happen nowadays… imagine Mo Salah beatboxing! This new one and the one at Anfield were a bit of fun, but the New Order one was a really fantastic tune.

The ‘renewed’ Reds will take on Manchester City in a crucial clash on Saturday afternoon

Mail Sport’s interview comes after Barnes revived his rap career and teamed up with Quality Street to encourage people to recycle their rappers (and packaging materials) over the festive period

“Listen, one day there were some alcoholic drinks around and Keith Allen said to me, ‘Let’s write a rap.’ Gazza (Paul Gascoigne) was there, Peter Beardsley tried, but I did it. You have to hold and give, but do it at the right time!

‘The song is iconic, young people don’t know that I am a footballer, but they know that I did the rap. The only bad thing was that we didn’t anticipate how big it would be, so we didn’t sign up for royalties! We just split a small fee between 25 of us.

‘This new one for Quality Street is a nice joke for an important campaign. We were inspired by Biggie Smalls and P Diddy’s Mo Money Mo Problems and did it in a psychedelic dome. Christmas is my favorite time of year, we always wear the same pajamas.’

After talking about number 1 hits in the charts, Mail Sport now asks whether Barnes’ former club Liverpool can finish number 1 in the Premier League this season, with the Reds one point behind leaders Manchester City during the Saturday’s crunch clash at the Etihad Stadium. .

‘Liverpool can challenge on all fronts. We are very close to the top in the league, in the FA Cup we are in the top two or the few that can win the cup. We are favorites to win the Europa League and still in the League Cup. However, I expect us to push Manchester City to the limit in the Premier League this year.

‘Last season was a transition period in terms of age and position. We couldn’t get the right midfielders, so we bought for a reason. We had a lot of forwards like (Cody) Gakpo, (Luis) Diaz and (Darwin) Nunez, but the midfield was beyond their best level.

‘We trusted Jurgen a lot and knew he would get the situation right in midfield. Now (Alexis) Mac Allister and (Dominik) Szoboszlai have improved us enormously. The age and balance of the team is much better, it has been refreshed and we can push City again.

‘But the game at the Etihad is huge. To be the best, you have to beat the rest. We can push them to the limit, but they have a fantastic side. I remember we came second with 97 points. Was that a failure? Of course not.

Barnes, 60, is perhaps as well known for his rap on New Order’s 1990 hit World in Motion as his impressive playing career (pictured in the video)

The former England star called Mohamed Salah one of the greatest legends in the club’s history

He also praised the way Jurgen Klopp reshaped his squad over the summer

‘Mo (Salah) won’t score as much as he used to, but that’s because Darwin is now in the middle, whereas before it was Bobby (Firmino) who was more of a creator than a finisher. But Mo has provided more assists, he is great.

‘Mo is one of the best in terms of Liverpool legends at the moment. Kenny (Dalglish) and Stevie (Gerrard) had longevity. But if Mo stays a few more years, he will end up among the legends.’

Speaking of legends, Barnes played (and patted) with a few in his day, so when asked to name a five-a-side team of former teammates, he politely asks if he has a six-a-side can make to fit them. Everything in!

‘Bruce Grobelaar in goal. Steve Nicol and Alan Hansen at the back. Glenn Hoddle and Stevie G in midfield will obviously both have to take this on board. And another easy one, Ian Rush up front. Kenny Dalglish as gaffer and I’m on the bench!’