Barnes urges Iraola to avoid Bournemouth raid as Liverpool eye Diomande and Barcola

John Barnes has urged Andoni Iraola to look beyond Bournemouth when shaping his Liverpool squad, insisting no player at the Vitality Stadium is an upgrade on what the Reds already possess.

The former England winger, speaking to Betfred, was direct in his assessment: “There’s no Bournemouth player I’d like to see him bring to Anfield with him because I don’t think there’s a Bournemouth player who’s better than what we already have.” The comments come amid persistent links between Liverpool and Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott, who has also attracted interest from Manchester United.

Barnes acknowledged the personal connection between Iraola and Scott but argued it should not be the basis for a transfer. “Alex Scott is somebody that’s trusted by Andoni Iraola, but I think the only reason he’d arrive at the club would be solely due to the manager,” he said. “Iraola understands him and if Arne Slot was still the manager, then maybe he’d have been less suited.”

Iraola, 44, spent three years at Bournemouth before taking charge at Anfield, overseeing a period in which the south-coast club qualified for European football for the first time in their history. That tenure also brought him into a working relationship with Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes, a dynamic that has already smoothed the club’s early transfer business.

“Obviously it helps a lot that on the other side of the table there is someone who you have already worked with,” Iraola said of Hughes earlier this month. “But in this case I would say it’s about the club — it’s about Liverpool — that is what really attracted me.”

Liverpool confirmed their first signing under Iraola last week, bringing in Osasuna midfielder Victor Munoz in a £34m deal from La Liga. The Reds have since moved for further reinforcements, submitting an £86m bid for RB Leipzig midfielder Yan Diomande, which was rejected. Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola has also been linked as Iraola prioritises attacking additions.

Barnes will be mindful of how previous Bournemouth imports have settled at Anfield. Left-back Milos Kerkez, signed for £40m last summer, endured a mixed debut season, though he is expected to remain first choice following Andy Robertson’s departure.