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Steve Nicol explains why John Barnes was even more special than Kylian Mbappe

Originally posted on HITC | By Eoin Morris | Last updated Feb 12, 2026 3:50 PM ET

John Barnes was a unique talent at Liverpool, and there were parts of his game that Kylian Mbappé simply doesn’t have.

If anyone knows what it’s like to play alongside some of the club’s greatest-ever players, it’s Steve Nicol.

Nicol played for Liverpool during the 1980s when they were one of Europe’s top sides. He saw firsthand how good Barnes was during his time at Anfield.

These days, he doesn’t hold back with his opinions. After Sunderland played Liverpool, he didn’t hesitate to criticise Mo Salah and has often spoken up when things aren’t going well for the club.

Steve Nicol on the John Barnes role not even Kylian Mbappe could fill

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During a Q&A session with ESPN, Steve Nicol found himself reflecting on Liverpool legends. When the subject turned to John Barnes, it was clear how much Nicol valued his old teammate.

Barnes wasn’t just an incredible talent—he also made life easier for those around him.

Nicol explained: “I played behind John Barnes and I could go forward because John Barnes would sit for me. Can you imagine Kylian Mbappe sitting for anybody?

“You know, John Barnes at the time was arguably our best player as Mbappe is for Madrid, but John Barnes would sit and play fullback for me if I went forward. I don’t see Mbappe doing that.”

It’s hard to picture a player of Mbappé’s profile filling in at full-back, especially given how modern tactics are built around his strengths. But Nicol insisted that wasn’t just about the position; it was also about the mindset:

Barnes started out as one of the best wingers of his era before an Achilles injury forced him to adapt later in his career.

Even after moving into midfield, he continued to be effective—a transition made smoother by his willingness to drop deeper even during his time out wide.

Comparing players from different generations is never straightforward. Still, there were elements to Barnes’ game that set him apart from today’s top forwards.

Why Steve Nicol puts Ian Rush ahead of John Barnes

During a Q&A session, Nicol was asked to rank John Barnes, Robbie Fowler, and Ian Rush – three of the most iconic figures in Liverpool’s history.

While he had plenty of praise for Barnes, it was Rush who took the top spot for him.

That choice wasn’t just about stats. As Nicol noted: “I mean, about about 650 appearances for Liverpool, 350 goals. I mean seriously, you can’t beat that. The game is about scoring goals.”

Nicol didn’t stop there, pointing out that Rush also set the tone defensively from the front – something not often highlighted in goal scorers.

He did add that if Barnes hadn’t suffered his injury setback, there’s every chance he could have taken the top spot in his eyes.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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