Author Topic: John Barnes (Read 172162 times)

Discipline · « **Reply #280 on:** September 9, 2012, 07:10:20 am »

Should train Raheem.

Brave Lee Flea · « **Reply #281 on:** September 9, 2012, 07:59:27 am »

Watching that video reminds me not only that Barnes was jolly handy in the day but that we also had one or two other players who weren't all bad.

Funny how time plays tricks with your mind, I'd forgotten just how good we were - and how far we have fallen, not just in terms of league position but also the quality of our football.

PS I suppose I ought to change my sig ... but somehow the thought of doing so is too depressing.

bigbear · « **Reply #282 on:** September 9, 2012, 09:55:42 am »

The most exciting player I've seen in a red shirt simple as that. When he got the ball you just got a buzz that something special was going to happen and it often did.

HermanToothrot · « **Reply #283 on:** September 9, 2012, 10:13:14 am »

Quote from: Brave Lee Flea on September 9, 2012, 07:59:27 am

Watching that video reminds me not only that Barnes was jolly handy in the day but that we also had one or two other players who weren't all bad.

Funny how time plays tricks with your mind, I'd forgotten just how good we were - and how far we have fallen, not just in terms of league position but also the quality of our football.

PS I suppose I ought to change my sig ... but somehow the thought of doing so is too depressing.

The team had a confidence then. A swagger. If we were losing, I was in no doubt we would turn it around.

Nowadays, if we are drawing 0-0 with 70 mins gone against QPR, a desperation comes into our play (and amongst the crowd).

Barnes was always calm. If I could take any player from a past era and put them into this team, I would take Barnes.

SkinHimHesShite · « **Reply #284 on:** September 9, 2012, 10:58:47 am »

i love john barnes

hide5seek · « **Reply #285 on:** September 9, 2012, 11:08:14 am »

Quote from: redboxingyeti on September 8, 2012, 07:28:52 pm

I think that King Kenny deserves the accolade as LFC's greatest ever player...I would think at the end of his career Stevie G will get 2nd spot in most peoples eyes.
Digger in my opinion deserves the number 3 spot - I saw Kenny, Souness, Hansen et al live, but not even they could generate the excitement of a Barnesy flying down the wing, or delivering a killer ball - he was an awesome player and a true gent. Had to put up with so much shit from the bitters and the press who berated him for his England games.
The team with Barnes, Beardsley, Aldo, Houghton was truly special to watch and big John Barnes was the star - awesome player !

As a complete aside, this is my own all-time 11 based on those I've seen play :-

Clemence - E.Hughes, Hansen, Lawrenson, Neal - Barnes, Souness, Gerrard, R.Kennedy - Rush, Dalglish

Subs: Reina, Hyypia, P. Thompson, Nicol, Molby, Hamann, Beardsley, Fowler, Aldo

No Whelan? Really is the most under rated player we ever had imo.

Yorkykopite · « **Reply #286 on:** September 9, 2012, 12:08:27 pm »

Quote from: bigbear on September 9, 2012, 09:55:42 am

The most exciting player I've seen in a red shirt simple as that. When he got the ball you just got a buzz that something special was going to happen and it often did.

Absolutely. If you were on the old Kop you'd know immediately when Barnes got the ball on the left wing even if for some reason you weren't looking at the pitch. Every single Kopite got on its tip-toes for a better view, leaned on the person in front of them and the whole crowd shifted down 3 or 4 steps. You just knew something wonderful was about to happen. Oh, and the roar - "SKIN HIM!".

pooley · « **Reply #287 on:** September 9, 2012, 01:08:03 pm »

At his peak Barnes was phenomenal, if you watch the video or dvd about his career, it is there for all to see, some amazing stuff. After his injuries he re-invented himself as the O.P. suggests and became our link up player in midfield, always looking for the ball, very rarely giving it away. My early impressions of Joe Allen remind me of the latter day John Barnes.

Doc Evil · « **Reply #288 on:** September 9, 2012, 02:54:01 pm »

Quote from: SpartanRed on September 8, 2012, 11:00:11 pm

Rubbish.

From time to time there are individuals who stand head & shoulders above everyone else.
Digger was one of those sportsmen.
He was more than just a great player though. He was a gentleman both on and off the pitch - always conducted himself impeccably.

For me - his most iconic moment was when a banana was thrown at him during a derby game in '88.
Without breaking stride he backheeled it away and carried on with the game without another thought.
It wasn't the first or last time he was subjected to racism but as always he dealt with it without making a fuss and it never affected his performance.

Pure class and an absolute legend.
Best player I've ever seen in a Liverpool shirt.

Pic from one of our trips to Wembley earlier this year.
Banner courtesy of my mate DocEvil & also Harinder who had it made.

Time to bring it out again at Anfield I think!

kcbworth · « **Reply #289 on:** September 9, 2012, 03:48:29 pm »

Quote from: Alf on September 8, 2012, 12:29:47 pm

Just watched this video and felt the need to bump this thread. Kenny Dalglish was before my time but I've never seen anybody better in a Liverpool shirt than John Barnes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmAo0uiarvA

Could sure weight a pass!

El Monty · « **Reply #290 on:** September 9, 2012, 06:13:24 pm »

Not too sure if this is the right thread to write this and i've done a quick search but John Barnes has done a Who do you think you are for the current series. Don't know the exact date but he hasn't been on yet. It's on every Wednesday at 9pm BBC 1. Just thought you might want to know.

redboxingyeti · « **Reply #291 on:** September 10, 2012, 03:07:40 pm »

Quote from: hide5seek on September 9, 2012, 11:08:14 am

No Whelan? Really is the most under rated player we ever had imo.

I concur...Put Didi in the subs but happy to have Ronnie in there instead. So many good players to choose from though.

sinnermichael · « **Reply #292 on:** September 10, 2012, 03:20:57 pm »

87-90 he was just untouchable

rafathegaffa83 · « **Reply #293 on:** September 10, 2012, 03:23:07 pm »

Best player that I've seen at the club. Class personified on and off the pitch. I remember even back during when he'd injured his Achilles, there would still be fights in the schoolyard over who was going to be Barnes in the playground kickabouts.

Golden_Child · « **Reply #294 on:** September 10, 2012, 03:25:49 pm »

Best player I've seen in a red shirt. Not old enough to see Kenny live but Digger is just above Stevie and Rush for me. Robbie closely following. The guy was just immense and unplayable, top bloke too.

sinnermichael · « **Reply #295 on:** September 10, 2012, 03:27:53 pm »

2 backheels and that 40 yarder!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0UefhlOQkY

Anfieldite · « **Reply #296 on:** September 10, 2012, 03:41:24 pm »

How long was he out injured for in 91?

rafathegaffa83 · « **Reply #297 on:** September 10, 2012, 03:49:15 pm »

Quote from: Anfieldite on September 10, 2012, 03:41:24 pm

How long was he out injured for in 91?

I think it was around five months. But this was when an Achilles injury was a real career killer. He lost the blistering pace he had, which resulted in him being shuffled into a central role.

finchy1972 · « **Reply #298 on:** September 10, 2012, 04:01:02 pm »

Genius

redoneusa · « **Reply #299 on:** September 11, 2012, 02:38:19 am »

The bloke was just pure magic and had it all. Very seldom do you see one player who has all the tricks in his bag. But John Barnes did - how much would he be worth in today's market?

Let's put it this way, we wouldn't be in the market for him simple as that. Just one bloody amazing player and I never tire of watching him in old games. Total legend.

Take two minutes to remind yourself of him:- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5gsTBB1BDw

Stevando_Torrard · « **Reply #300 on:** September 11, 2012, 06:15:56 pm »

Dreamt about getting sent off for bringing him down when he was in on goal last night!

We've really been spoilt with some very talented players over the years.

Stevie-A · « **Reply #301 on:** September 11, 2012, 10:12:07 pm »

Magnificent player, and a true legend.

koolkamal · « **Reply #302 on:** September 12, 2012, 12:00:18 am »

Pure Poetry in motion he was. Sublime skill, great balance, he'd just glide across the pitch pass opponents.

Harinder · « **Reply #303 on:** September 12, 2012, 12:18:44 am »

Quote from: Doc Evil on September 9, 2012, 02:54:01 pm

Time to bring it out again at Anfield I think!

In glorious technicolor

Redrider · « **Reply #304 on:** September 15, 2012, 04:36:04 pm »

Why does he always have a skip outside his house ?

Gerrards Boxing Coach · « **Reply #305 on:** September 15, 2012, 04:40:21 pm »

Quote from: Alf on September 8, 2012, 12:29:47 pm

Just watched this video and felt the need to bump this thread. Kenny Dalglish was before my time but I've never seen anybody better in a Liverpool shirt than John Barnes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmAo0uiarvA

I like hearing the commentator at 4:27ish say, "No one played a bigger part in Liverpool's annual title run..." Those are sweet, sweet words.

7777 · « **Reply #306 on:** September 15, 2012, 04:42:05 pm »

Quote from: Redrider on September 15, 2012, 04:36:04 pm

Why does he always have a skip outside his house ?

To get rid of rubbish

DRice · « **Reply #307 on:** March 6, 2013, 10:10:46 pm »

why could he never do it for england consistently?

what a player he was simply sublime and as good has he was we did rely on him far too much by about 1989 and when he got injured we sadly couldnt cope and kind of imploded

Hank Scorpio · « **Reply #308 on:** March 7, 2013, 10:06:47 am »

Quote from: sinnermichael on September 10, 2012, 03:27:53 pm

that 40 yarder!

One touch. Try that you bastards!

paulrazor · « **Reply #309 on:** March 7, 2013, 10:09:54 am »

I loved that free kick against Portsmouth and the reaction of him when Ronnie Whelan knocked it in

wed seriously kill for a player like this today. his speed with the ball was incredible, unfortunately in latter years that was killed through injury but one should also appreciate the reinvention of his game and how good a foil he was to the like of Redknapp, McManaman and Fowler.

Id love to see how many assists he had for 87-88

Crosby Nick · « **Reply #310 on:** March 7, 2013, 10:22:18 am »

Quote from: HELLRAZOR on March 7, 2013, 10:09:54 am

Id love to see how many assists he had for 87-88

Barnes, Beardsley, Barnes...cross to Aldridge or Houghton to nod in. Easy game!

paulrazor · « **Reply #311 on:** March 7, 2013, 11:14:32 am »

Quote from: Crosby Nick on March 7, 2013, 10:22:18 am

Barnes, Beardsley, Barnes...cross to Aldridge or Houghton to nod in. Easy game!

i know of atleast 15 and theres many many games i havent included there like 4-0 vs derby, pompey, watford and 5-1 sheffield wednesday

Big T · « **Reply #312 on:** March 7, 2013, 02:24:59 pm »

A true great!

I wish that we would follow a Bayern/Ajax model were some of the legend's would command a seat on the board.

lfcmaster · « **Reply #313 on:** March 7, 2013, 10:28:08 pm »

john barnes will always be in my top 3 lfc players

didi · « **Reply #314 on:** March 8, 2013, 08:47:13 am »

Diadora's, Skulduggery, Digger, tights, Anfield Rap, World in Motion, tearing Utd apart at Old Trafford in 89/90, ah the memories, those 3 years 87-90 no one could touch him

paulrazor · « **Reply #315 on:** March 8, 2013, 09:12:41 am »

look at that qpr goal, how the fuck does he turn so fast

the way he dinks to the left and back to the right in the blink of an eye. unbelievable skill, control and balance.

didi · « **Reply #316 on:** March 8, 2013, 12:11:59 pm »

"oh i say just look at Barnes here"

shizzledizzle · « **Reply #317 on:** March 9, 2013, 06:48:33 pm »

Really he is one of the most gifted ever he was really ahead of his time in terms of pace, fast thinking and ball control...

And besides that he is really one of the most honest people in the footballing world really a joy to watch him on and off the field..

Fitzy. · « **Reply #318 on:** March 30, 2013, 10:34:14 pm »

My number 1. Probably always will be.

alfonso · « **Reply #319 on:** May 10, 2013, 05:25:29 pm »

One of the greatest players we've ever had and in my all time 11 due to those first few years.. But let's not forget his last couple of seasons, he was not fantastic in the centre of midfield. Maybe due to the overrated Redknapp being along side him a lot of the time. He was better when Thomas was next to him though.
Barnes wasn't consistent enough when he played there.

I remember seeing him on daytime TV eating a selection of cakes. It was shocking. And a few days before/later??? he removed his shirt after the Paris St. Germain Euro game if I remember correctly, to reveal a belly. I was dumbfounded as he was a professional player and at the time on 15K/week - our highest paid player.