Liverpool have been told they would be better off signing a different midfielder to either Youri Tielemans or Jude Bellingham.
Last summer saw Liverpool linked with both players following the departure of Gini Wijnaldum to Paris Saint-Germain.
But Reds Jurgen Klopp decided against bringing in a new midfield.
Rumours have not gone away since, however, with both Tielemans and Bellingham being tipped with moves to Anfield.
The former could be available at a reduced price given he has just 18 months left on his Leicester City contract while the latter continues to impress at Borussia Dortmund.
However, Liverpool legend John Barnes believes Yves Bissouma might be a better fit.
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Barnes has urged the Brighton midfielder to reconsider a move to either Newcastle United or Aston Villa, who are both chasing his signature before the January transfer window closes.
And he believes the Mali international has the ability to play for his old club.
“From a Liverpool perspective, it would be lovely to see Yves Bissouma playing at Anfield rather than for Newcastle or Aston Villa,” Barnes told BonusCodeBets .
“If you look at the age of Liverpool’s midfielders, a lot of them are aged 30 or older, Yves is young and would be an excellent signing for the club.
“As to whether Bissouma wants to leave Brighton right now and sign for another team in a relegation dog fight, then that’s up to him.
“He must decide what is right for himself, but the quality he possesses at this stage of his career – he should be aiming higher [than Aston Villa or Newcastle].
”Newcastle is a great club, but if you ask people Liverpool or Newcastle, then it’s a no brainer [you’d pick Liverpool].
“If you wanted to create a template for the ideal Liverpool central midfielder, Bissouma fits it perfectly.”
Barnes went on to acknowledge the ability of both Tielemans and Bellingham but added that he thinks Bissouma would be a better signing.
“Youri Tielemans is a brilliant player, but he’s a completely different type of footballer to Yves Bissouma,” said Barnes.
“Tielemans is a very good, hardworking midfielder, but if you look at the nature of what Liverpool midfielders do, in terms of their physicality and the ability to get up and down the field, that isn’t necessarily what Tielemans does.
“Youri is excellent in possession and is perhaps maybe more Manchester City’s style of player. Yves Bissouma would suit the Liverpool style more than Tielemans would. The same as he would with Jude Bellingham.
“All three are excellent players though, Liverpool wouldn’t be doing wrong by signing any of them.”
