Sadio Mane has been told he is "lucky" that Liverpool play in a way that has allowed him to become an Anfield great.
But former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol believes the Senegalese is still not as good as Reds legend John Barnes was in his pomp.
Mane is among the front-runners for individual honours after an outstanding season helping Liverpool move a record 25 points clear at the Premier League summit while winning both the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.
The winger, who turned 28 on Friday, has forged a devastating strike partnership with Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino under Jurgen Klopp.
Nevertheless, former Senegal international Diomansy Kamara last week claimed Mane may have to leave because Liverpool don't play to his strengths.
But ex-Red Nicol, who made 468 appearances during a 13-year career at Anfield, is adamant Mane has benefited from Liverpool's tactical approach even if he isn't quite at the same level as one of the club's best-ever players.
"I think Sadio Mane is lucky the way Liverpool play," Nicol said to ESPN FC. "His job is pretty much to stay on one half of the field.
"Yes, he does come back and help out defensively every now and again, but generally he’s told to stay in the attacking half of the field and go at defenders.
"Now Barnesy, with the ball at his feet dribbling, at his best, was better than Mane.
"Unfortunately for Barnesy he had to do a lot more work in a game because one of his responsibilities was to defend, to get back behind the ball and be in a defensive position.
"As great as Sadio Mane is, John Barnes is one of the best players I have ever played with – and I've played with a lot of good players at Liverpool.
"Barnesy was absolutely fantastic, unplayable sometimes – actually, most of the time until he unfortunately tore his Achilles and that curtailed him a little. Before that, absolute lights out."
