John Barnes interview: I don’t understand Alexander Isak’s behaviour – it leaves a sour taste in my mouth… and why the FA are saving football at grassroots level

John Barnes arrives for our chat with a spring in his step, suited and booted having just got to Wembley Stadium for the latest edition of the Grassroots Football Awards.

‘You’re looking summery,’ he says, as we step out of the ceremony room for a quick chat. He adds that he got a car down from Liverpool this morning and will be heading back up after the Community Shield.

It’s a blazing hot day in the capital. Liverpool are looking to win their first trophy of the new season with their flashy new signings in their starting line-up (spoiler: they lost) and Crystal Palace are trying to put their pain of being kicked out of the Europa League behind them for at least 90 minutes, 24 hours before they will find out the result of their appeal (spoiler: they lost too).

It’s the first day of the new season for the top flight clubs, but Barnes is here for something else. Away from the pre-match chaos of the pitch, Wembley Way and the hospitality suites, up a few steps and through a door or two, the Grassroots Football Awards 2025 are taking place – and Barnes is a special guest.

‘It’s not about making professional footballers,’ he says. ’99 per cent of kids aren’t going to do that. It’s about them having an opportunity to play, grow, learn, and this is what the FA do – give the opportunity and facilities.

‘When I first came to England there were a lot of youth clubs and volunteers doing a similar thing – not for the money, but their parents wanted to give to kids an opportunity to develop as a young child. This is the most important thing – not the awards, but the project.’

Liverpool legend John Barnes has said he ‘doesn’t understand’ Alexander Isak’s behaviour

Barnes was speaking at the Grassroots Football Awards, where he presented an accolade

Barnes is keen to get across the message of how important these awards are. Why wouldn’t he be? He started there and made it to the top. Now, looking down again, he wants others to be afforded the path that he ultimately benefitted from.

‘I played for Liverpool for 10 years,’ he adds. ‘They are a socialist clubs that understands the football family is not just about the superstars.

‘When you talk about the family of football, it is not just about the players, it is about the people who do this kind of work and it is great to see they are getting rewarded.’

Conversation turns to Liverpool and their summer business. There’s been plenty of it – the imminent signing of Italian defender Giovanni Leoni with take their spending past £320million.

There’s plenty more to be spent, though. So it seems, anyway – one bid for Newcastle’s Alexander Isak has been rebuffed and the player is desperate for the move. He would cost well north of £100million if the deal was to be completed. 

‘It doesn’t really make sense to me,’ Barnes says of the saga. ‘Once upon a time, a player played for the club and if he signed and came to the club, you didn’t have this uncertainty as to whether he is going to come or if he is going to go. 

‘With or without Isak, Liverpool will still be fantastic. With Isak, it will make them stronger, but only time will tell. I feel sorry for Newcastle, it is unsettling for them more than any other club. For Liverpool, he either goes or he doesn’t’ – Newcastle have to reintegrate him.’

That is how the world goes round now, unfortunately for Barnes. The football world, anyway. Player power is at an all-time high, and they can somewhat demand transfers.

Isak, meanwhile, is training away from the first team at Newcastle as he tries to force through a move to Liverpool

Barnes said: ‘There are ways to do something and I don’t like the idea of players not training or turning up for something if they want to move’

Isak could go onto become one of Liverpool’s best no 9s ever. We may be getting ahead of ourselves here, but he has the talent, is still only 25, and the Reds clearly have the trust in him. That hasn’t stopped his actions leaving a sour taste in Barnes’ mouth, however.

‘It is not new, we have seen it in the last five, six, seven years where players are playing for a move and then they don’t train, don’t turn up,’ Barnes adds. ‘I am not a big fan of it. If you are playing for a club, you have a responsibility to be a good team-mate and character, the fans have been great to you, but this is modern football.

‘I am not a big fan of this to be honest with you – it could work in favour for Liverpool in terms of him coming, but, after the club has served him well, there are ways to do something and I don’t like the idea of players not training or turning up for something if they want to move. But this is modern football and we have to get used to it.’

The conversation turns back to the Grassroots Awards as we come to the end of the chat. I wish him well for the day – it will be a busy one.

‘It’s been going on for a long time now,’ he says as we prepare to part ways. ‘You have to give the opportunities for kids who are not going to be professional footballers.

‘The academies can take them, but what happens to the others? It’s great to see the FA have this directive. Back when I came to England you had a lot of youth clubs. It’s all about the opportunity.’ 

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