Former Liverpool and England midfielder John Barnes has taken a swipe at Manchester United's forwards for their work-rate out-of-possession.
Barnes, working as a pundit for Sky Sports, addressed United's front-four while previewing Liverpool's Premier League clash with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The 58-year-old was reacting to Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp's decision to include attacking quartet Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz and summer signing Darwin Nunez in his starting line-up.
Their inclusions in the team meant that Klopp deployed a central-midfield paring of Jordan Henderson and Thiago, choosing to leave Fabinho on the bench. Liverpool have been renowned for fielding a midfield trio as part of a 4-3-3 system in recent years.
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Considering they were up against an Arsenal side flying high at the top of the table, it appeared to be a very brave move by the Liverpool boss, who saw his side fall behind with less than a minute on the clock. However, former Watford man Barnes felt it was a decision Klopp was right to risk, pointing to the willingness of Liverpool's forward players to track back and help out defensively.
He made the statement by comparing the work ethic of Liverpool's front players to United's. Both Jadon Sancho and Antony have come under fire recently for failing to track back and support the full-backs behind them, meaning it was clear what Barnes was referring to.
"Well, of course, Nunez hasn't been doing particularly well because the team has not been doing well," Barnes told Sky Sports. "He has got great potential.
"They played the same team against Rangers, but it was an easier game. I am a bit surprised that Fabinho didn't come in to make it a 4-3-3.
"But the difference between this 4-2-4, if you like, and Man United's 4-2-4, featuring Scott McTominay and Fred, is that the front-four all work hard. With Salah, Jota, Nunez and Diaz they will all work back."
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