John Barnes hopes Rafael Benitez rejects any overtures from Juventus and stays at Liverpool.
The former Reds winger does not blame Benitez for Liverpool's current struggles, saying that the club over-achieved last season with the players he had available.
Barnes also insists that it will not be a disaster for Liverpool if they do not qualify for next season's Champions League.
Barnes, speaking from Angola where he has been promoting England's bid for the 2018 World Cup, said: "It would be no surprise to me if Juventus are interested in Rafa Benitez because he's a great manager.
"I would like him to stay at Liverpool and I believe he can stay around.
"On the pitch things are not going particularly well and they still need better players, but they over-achieved last year and it was always going to be harder this year.
"They are still good players but they played to their maximum last year while Chelsea and Manchester United can be not at their best and still win.
"That's where Liverpool have fallen down this year."
Barnes admitted that Liverpool are up against it in the contest to finish in the top four but still believes they can achieve it - and rejects suggestions it would be a disaster if they do not.
He added: "It's going to be very tight and particularly with Tottenham, Aston Villa and Manchester City improving and getting stronger.
"If they don't qualify for the Champions League it makes it even harder financially next year and would be very disappointing but it would not be a disaster. What's happening in Haiti - that's a disaster."
The former Reds winger does not blame Benitez for Liverpool's current struggles, saying that the club over-achieved last season with the players he had available.
Barnes also insists that it will not be a disaster for Liverpool if they do not qualify for next season's Champions League.
Barnes, speaking from Angola where he has been promoting England's bid for the 2018 World Cup, said: "It would be no surprise to me if Juventus are interested in Rafa Benitez because he's a great manager.
"I would like him to stay at Liverpool and I believe he can stay around.
"On the pitch things are not going particularly well and they still need better players, but they over-achieved last year and it was always going to be harder this year.
"They are still good players but they played to their maximum last year while Chelsea and Manchester United can be not at their best and still win.
"That's where Liverpool have fallen down this year."
Barnes admitted that Liverpool are up against it in the contest to finish in the top four but still believes they can achieve it - and rejects suggestions it would be a disaster if they do not.
He added: "It's going to be very tight and particularly with Tottenham, Aston Villa and Manchester City improving and getting stronger.
"If they don't qualify for the Champions League it makes it even harder financially next year and would be very disappointing but it would not be a disaster. What's happening in Haiti - that's a disaster."
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