John Barnes has urged Liverpool to approach their remaining four games with the same “gung-ho” mentality that has seen them fire a staggering 93 goals in 34 Premier League matches.
The Reds have won 11 straight league games and after securing a dramatic 3-2 victory over Manchester City at Anfield last weekend, they know that the title is now theirs to lose.
That victory over City held even more significance for captain Steven Gerrard who was visibly overcome with emotion as he gathered his troops and delivered a battle cry that called for focus ahead of the trip to Norwich.
It was not just the victory that meant so much to the skipper but it came on a day when fans and players across the country united to remember the 96 supporters who sadly lost their lives at Hillsborough some 25 years ago – including Gerrard’s own 10-year-old cousin Jon-Paul Gilhooley.
Barnes was a member of that Liverpool side in ’89 and witnessed first-hand the tragic events unfolding. But he hopes the current squad can control their emotions and continue to play their brand of free-flowing, attacking football.
“I think everyone saw just how much it meant with that huddle at the end of the City game. But they must play with calm heads as if you have too much passion then you won’t perform to your best,” Barnes told Sport360 during a visit to Dubai to promote Harvey Nichols’ ‘Sport is Great’ football fashion campaign.
“Having the right balance is important. You have to be assured and calm or else you risk missing an easy opportunity in front of goal or making a bad tackle and getting a red card.
“But with only four games to go they have to approach them in a very gung-ho fashion, which they have done virtually all season.”
Liverpool know that by winning their remaining four games they will end their 24 year wait for a league title. After a trip to Carrow Road they face potentially their most important game since the 2007 Champions League final when second-placed Chelsea travel to Anfield.
The Blues may have suffered a shock loss to Sunderland but they could still prevent Liverpool from lifting the trophy if they could win on Merseyside.
Barnes, who was a member of the last Liverpool side to win the title in 1990, believes Jose Mourinho’s side present a huge challenge but has warned the players not to take Norwich, Crystal Palace and Newcastle lightly.
“I always felt the Chelsea game was going to be the biggest,” explains Barnes. “But I think it could still go down to the last game.
“Can you be confident that we [Liverpool] will beat Palace away? Chelsea lost to them only a few weeks ago so it seems anyone can still beat anyone on a given day. But I’m still cautiously optimistic.”
That optimism may be increased if Brendan Rodgers’ side can defeat Chelsea, but even if Liverpool fail in their bid to win a first Premier League crown, Barnes sees plenty of reasons for fans to remain positive.
“I’m hoping Liverpool fans won’t be disappointed if they don’t win the league because at the start of the season if you would have said you would be top with a few games to go they wouldn’t have believed it,” added Barnes.
“It will be even harder next year as we will be fighting in the Champions League as well, and with a small squad.
“We will strengthen but we won’t be able to get the same players Chelsea and [Manchester] City can. I won’t say it’s Liverpool’s one chance this year but what you have to say is that I can see it being much more competitive every single season.
“I don’t think we will go from top three to finishing eighth next season. Year to year I think you may see different teams winning it. And I think Liverpool will be one of those teams. This is a great chance for Liverpool but I don’t think it will be their only one.”
