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Steve Bower, Michael Owen, John Barnes and Tony Adams live on Premier League Productions

Liverpool legend John Barnes has aimed a subtle dig at Michael Owen as speculation over Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future continues to dominate the headlines.

The 26-year-old’s contract is entering its final months, with no resolution yet in sight.

While both Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk have recently signed extensions, Alexander-Arnold appears increasingly likely to move on, with persistent links to Real Madrid refusing to go away.



However, Barnes has been quick to note that not every player is swayed by Madrid’s interest.

Speaking on Premier League Productions following Liverpool’s win over Leicester City on Sunday, in which Alexander-Arnold delivered the decisive moment with the first left-footed goal of his career, Barnes responded to the question of whether anyone could realistically turn down a move to Real Madrid.

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With Owen sat alongside him on the panel, Barnes said: “Well, there was an opportunity for a player to go to Real Madrid and wear the white shirt, but he didn’t.

John Toshack, who is a Merseyside legend in his own right, was managing Real Madrid in the late 1980s and was keen to strengthen his attack with the signing of Barnes, but a move ultimately never materialised.

In an interview with talkSPORT last year, Barnes spoke about the approach from Toshack and admitted he would have considered the move had Liverpool accepted a bid.

However, he refused to hand in a transfer request or push for a deal, insisting he didn’t want to tarnish his legacy at the club.

While Alexander-Arnold now appears to be edging closer to a free transfer to the Bernabeu, Barnes has stressed that the right-back should not be begrudged, as long as he continues to give everything for the team.

In his eyes, the defender's is match-winning goal against Leicester City at the weekend, which brought Arne Slot’s side to within three points of the title, served as proof of that commitment.

He added: "What I’ve said all along - for these Liverpool players, and for footballers generally - is yes, they may go and their contracts may run out, but with Henderson, Milner...