Liverpool legend names England ace as perfect Anthony Gordon alternative

Eberechi Eze would be a better signing for Liverpool than Anthony Gordon this summer. That is the view of club legend John Barnes.

As as Newcastle United's profit and sustainability rules deadline approached a couple of weeks ago, the former Everton winger was the subject of interest from the Reds with a return to Merseyside seemingly on the cards.

However, a combination of the Magpies' asking price and insistence on inserting Jarell Quansah into a swap deal, saw Liverpool walk away from negotiations and Gordon remains a member of Eddie Howe's first-team squad.

But will that be the case when the summer transfer window closes? Well, it's been suggested that the Reds could yet opt to come back in for the forward who is out of contract in 2026, although Newcastle are said to be looking for a total package of around £100m.

A potential deal that Barnes doesn't believe would represent good value especially when taking into consideration that Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz are natural left-sided wingers. As a result, the 60-year-old has revealed who would be the ideal summer signing.

"Gordon will be a good signing but you can't just keep signing players because you've got to keep them happy and if no one's going to leave why would we keep signing players," Barnes told mybettingsites.co.uk, as per Tribal Football.

"If Liverpool were to make signings I think with Arne Slot, Eze would probably be a better signing."

Barnes: Gordon would have been a better signing under Klopp

"Gordon under Klopp would have probably been a better signing because he's much more dynamic in terms of going forward than Eze," Barnes added.

"Whereas Eze is much better on the ball, coming short, getting the ball. You know, he's more technical than Gordon.

"Anthony Gordon yes he would be great but I don't think that we're necessarily looking for players in those positions unless players leave. So yeah, if you can get a good young English player. Yeah. Why not?"

Eze 'prefers' Liverpool move

Amid links to North London duo Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, reports have claimed that Eze prefers a move to Merseyside over staying in London as he feels he can cement a place in Liverpool's starting XI.

Following the conclusion of Sunday's Euro 2024 final, the Crystal Palace star should be able to resolve his future, although any interest party will have to activate his release clause which Daily Mail claims is worth an initial £60 million plus additional add-ons worth in the region of £8 million.