Who is Harvey Barnes? The player Liverpool want to sign and Leicester want to keep

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 16 Aug 2021 16:01 BST
• 4 min read

Harvey Barnes is a special talent, one who took significant strides forward in 2020/21. The left winger was very raw the previous season, but made the difference when Leicester Cityreally needed him to last term and he is now being linked with a transfer to Liverpool.

With James Maddison’s fitness unreliable, Barnes was tasked with the burden of carrying Leicester’s attack last season and he performed that task admirably, even earning his England debut.

Had it not been for an injury of his own, he may well have found himself in Gareth Southgate’s squad for Euro 2020.

What position does Harvey Barnes play?

Barnes operates off the left wing, cutting inside onto his favoured right-foot before finding a pass, delivering a cross, or taking a shot.

Unlike many other wingers who rotate between the left and right flank, like Raheem Sterling for example, Barnes solely plays on the left.

Although talk of him playing through the middle as a central striker gathered momentum thanks to his ability in front of goal, Brendan Rodgers was quick to shut these rumours down, saying: “No. If you look at his strengths, they’re in the one versus one and getting at defenders from the wide position.”

Barnes uses his pace and power to bypass full-backs, and the width he provides is essential to Leicester’s style of play.

How good is Harvey Barnes?

The simple answer would be, really, really good. Barnes developed exponentially last season, transforming from just a talent to one of the Premier League’s best wingers in the space of 12 months.

Still just 23-years-old, he already netted 13 goals in all competitions last season, a career high, and provided four assists, with his goals often crucial.

He scored both the first goal and the decisive goal on two occasions each in 2020/21, and grabbed an equaliser four times. In other words, his goals were winning Leicester points, rather than simply consolidating a winning position.

His average of 0.60 goals or assists per 90 in the Premier League ranked second in the Leicester squad (over 200 minutes), and his 1.8 dribbles per 90 in the league was also the second highest, using the same metric.

Harvey Barnes statistics 2020/21

What clubs are interested in Harvey Barnes?

Given his tremendous 2020/21 campaign, Barnes is hot property and some big clubs have been linked with him this summer.

While Manchester United have been rumoured as a potential destination, it’s Liverpool who have most consistently been mentioned when it comes to a Harvey Barnes transfer.

Given that he has a contract until 2024, it would take a significant fee for Liverpool to secure his signature in this transfer window.

Leicester, meanwhile, are so impressed with Barnes that they want to keep him for the long term. According to The Athletic, the Foxes have offered the youngster a fresh four-year contract.

What is Harvey Barnes’ Instagram?

Barnes’ Instagram account has 122k followers as of March 2021

Who is Harvey Barnes’ girlfriend?

Barnes’ girlfriend is Naomi Dann