The Reds legend believes landing the Aston Villa striker would mean a more direct approach at Anfield.
Barnes said: “Liverpool have to adapt the way they play to suit Christian Benteke.
“When they play with Raheem Sterling and Philippe Coutinho, they pass the ball through midfield and always want to score the perfect goal.
“With Benteke, you get the ball wide and then in the box, you need to be a little bit more direct.”
Benteke, signed for £7million from Genk three years ago, is set to tell Villa boss Tim Sherwood that he wants to move on when he reports back for pre-season training this week.
The Midlands club, however, continue to maintain he will not be sold for any less than his £32.5million release clause.
Villa's stance has already seen Spurs back off but Liverpool remain desperate to sign the Belgian after losing Sevilla striker Carlos Bacca to AC Milan.
Following their sixth-placed finish last season Brendan Rodgers has made a number of new signings, including £29million attacker Roberto Firmino, James Milner on a free and £15million Nathaniel Clyne from Southampton. Barnes, however, believes Benteke - who scored 15 goals last season - would be the game-changer.
Speaking to Talksport, he added: “If he comes it will need a sweeping change in the way Liverpool play. Would that be a bad thing? Not necessarily, balance is important.
“At times Liverpool overplayed which really came off two years ago but didn’t last season. He would cause people a lot of problems.”
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