Yves Bissouma fits the template for an ideal Liverpool midfielder 'perfectly', insists John Barnes

Yves Bissouma would be a better fit at Liverpool rather than Newcastle or Aston Villa, according to John Barnes.

Reports have suggested the Premier League trio have made the Brighton midfielder a summer transfer window target following his impressive form for the side he joined from Lille in 2018.

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp was reportedly impressed by the 25-year-old's performance in the Seagulls' surprise 2-2 draw at Anfield in October.

And Barnes, who won three league titles during a decade at Liverpool, believes Bissouma would suit his former side more than the two top-flight sides also in for him.

'From a Liverpool perspective, it would be lovely to see Yves Bissouma playing at Anfield rather than for Newcastle or Aston Villa,' Barnes told BonusCodeBets.

'If you look at the age of Liverpool's midfielders, a lot of them are aged 30 or older, Yves is young and would be an excellent signing for the club.

'As to whether Bissouma wants to leave Brighton right now and sign for another team in a relegation dog fight, then that's up to him.

'He must decide what is right for himself, but the quality he possesses at this stage of his career – he should be aiming higher [than Aston Villa or Newcastle].

'Newcastle is a great club, but if you ask people Liverpool or Newcastle, then it's a no brainer [you'd pick Liverpool].

'If you wanted to create a template for the ideal Liverpool central midfielder, Bissouma fits it perfectly.'

Bissouma - who along with Youri Tielemans and Jude Bellingham is believed to be a Reds summer target - has recently been on international duty with Mali at the Africa Cup of Nations.

His country topped their group but then suffered a shock defeat on penalties in their round of 16 knockout clash against Equatorial Guinea.