John Barnes is grinning like a Cheshire cat with the backdrop of three Christmas trees already up in his home on the Wirral. He is pondering a question over how Jurgen Klopp’s team of superstars compares to the great Liverpool side he played in.
‘Well, I’m 60 years old now and I feel it every time I bend over to tie my shoelaces or walk up the stairs… so I’d be on the bench,’ he laughs. ‘When I was 59 I felt 50, then two days later I’m 60. The psychological aspect of having a six before my age… I’ve got to get my head around that!