I starred alongside Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer for England, but Liverpool's 'terrifying' star was the best I played with.
England legend Peter Beardsley has named “incredible” former team-mate John Barnes as the best star he has ever played with.
After playing for Liverpool, Everton and Newcastle to name a few, Beardsley played amongst some iconic names in English football.
That includes the Podcast Rest is football co-hosts Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker.
But neither of the two former forwards had the honor of being named Beardsley's best teammate.
When asked the question by Shearer, he said: “Oddly enough, it wouldn't be a striker as such, it would be (John) Barnsey.
“Barnsey, when I went to Liverpool, he was incredible. So obviously Micah will know him very well, he's a really great person. You obviously know that, Al, but what a player, what an absolutely incredible player.”
Beardsley and Barnes arrived at Anfield in the summer of 1987, joining John Aldridge, and Beardsley and Aldridge formed a new attacking partnership to replace Ian Rush and Kenny Dalglish.
The trio won the league with the Reds that season, unleashing deadly attacks on their opponents week after week.
Beardsley continued: “He was carrying our team, Liverpool, when we won the league, when we first went, it was terrifying. Really, really terrifying.”
“But when you look at people scoring goals, like (Aldridge), we had Rushy scoring goals for fun because of his dedication. I was, without being negative, being the worker, chasing people.
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“But when I chased people down and we gave the ball to Barnsey, I was able to rest because Barnsey would cross the ball and then get it back again.
“But that's how it worked. I worked with Barnsey for six years in England and obviously in Liverpool.”
However, Beardsley didn't just think Barnes was the best because of his ability on the field.
“An absolute diamond of a person,” he continued. “A diamond of a footballer and a pleasure to be around, you know? Micah will know because I would have gone out for a couple of nights with him!
“He's a brilliant person and definitely the best player I've ever played with.”
