John Barnes admits he is ‘the most worried I’ve been’ for Liverpool in years ahead of Saturday’s Premier League match against Arsenal as Declan Rice changes the game.
The Gunners head to Anfield for a top-of-the-table clash this weekend eying their first win at Liverpool in the Premier League since September 2012. Arsenal have lost seven of their past 10 trips and drew three. Lukasz Podolski and Santi Cazorla scored to claim their last win 2-0.
Arsenal were on course to end their 11-year wait to win at Liverpool last term when they led 2-0. But Mikel Arteta’s side failed to see out the lead Gabriel Martinelli (8’) and Gabriel Jesus (28’) opened. Mohamed Salah (42’) and Roberto Firmino (87’) replied for a 2-2 draw in April.
Declan Rice makes John Barnes ‘worried’ for Liverpool vs Arsenal
Arteta took his Emirates Stadium outfit to Anfield in April with Arsenal sat six points clear of Manchester City atop the Premier League table after 29 games. But they failed to hold on to the advantage after drawing with West Ham and Southampton right after playing Liverpool.
Arsenal now travel to Anfield atop the table again but by just a point to Liverpool and Aston Villa. The Reds are also yet to lose at Anfield this term following seven wins and a draw with 21 goals to five conceded. But Barnes claims Rice could change the course of recent history.
What has John Barnes said about Declan Rice ahead of Saturday?
Barnes is the ‘most worried’ the Liverpool icon has been for a fixture between the Reds and Arsenal in years as Rice gives Arteta ‘something extra’. He says the 24-year-old puts Arteta’s engine room on another level through his physicality after Rice’s club-record transfer in July.
“This is a game I’m really looking forward to,” Barnes told The Anfield Wrap. “I’m not saying I’m worried about it. But this is probably the most worried I’ve been playing against Arsenal for the past three or four years.
“I think Declan Rice has really given them something extra from a strength point of view. I always felt we could overpower them but now they’re a strong physical side.”
Rice has truly been a game-changing signing for Arsenal since arriving from West Ham and Arteta will hope he proves Barnes’ worries are correct at Liverpool. The 48-cap England star has, indeed, brought more physicality to their core. But he gives the Gunners so much more.
The Irons product also instantly emerged as a leader upon moving to Emirates Stadium. Rice conducts Arteta’s plans on the pitch as their central midfielder. Yet he can also carry the ball after getting it back and scored crucial goals against Manchester United, Chelsea and Luton.
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