John Barnes says Liverpool sold a player who he loved even more than Mo Salah

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John Barnes certainly knows a thing or two about what it takes to become a Liverpool great.The Reds have really re-established themselves as a footballing powerhouse over recent years, with the club back competing for the biggest trophies. A huge part of this was because of Jurgen Klopp, with the German taking a struggling side and turning them into a team that the rest of Europe feared.He did so on a rather modest budget too, at least compared to what owners FSG have given Arne Slot to spend, with some of the players he signed going on to be some of the best.Arguably the best signing in his tenure was Mohamed Salah, with the Egyptian one of the greatest to ever play for Liverpool, although legend John Barnes has someone a little different as his favourite ever Red.Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty ImagesJohn Barnes loved Sadio ManeLiverpool’s attack has always been the component that struck fear into the eyes of their opponents, with the best example being when they had a front three of Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.This trio was one of the greatest in Europe and combined to score a ridiculous amount of goals, although it was always Salah who took most of the plaudits.However, without the others, it would not all have come together, with Mane in particular the most underrated given how much Liverpool have missed him since he departed.Barnes strongly believes this too, with the former winger revealing that the Senegalese star is his favourite Liverpool player of all time.When asked which players were better than himself for a TikTok video, Barnes said: “I love Sadio and he is my favourite Liverpool player, but I was there longer, so for longevity, I’m going to go for John Barnes.”READ MORE: Ben Foster reckons £8m Liverpool player must be so confused right nowBarnes also backed himself ahead of ex-Reds such as Michael Owen and Raheem Sterling, although one player he thinks was much better was Thierry Henry.The only current player he thinks is better than himself in his prime is Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr, although some Reds fans may disagree.Liverpool miss Sadio ManeThere is no denying that Liverpool replaced Mane well by bringing in Luis Diaz, but even then, the Colombian was still nowhere near the level of the now-Al-Nassr man.And now, with both these players moving on, that leaves just Cody Gakpo as the out-and-out choice in this position, with this an area that has been a problem so far this season.The Dutchman has not quite grasped his opportunity with both hands, with a prime Mane exactly what Slot needs to get his attack going again.He will certainly go down as a bit of a legend despite departing after losing the Champions League, and it is no surprise that an excellent winger like Barnes loves him so much.