The great big Gareth Barry saga

[crouchinho]

From the Telegraph 2 days ago


Rafael Benitez has identified Gareth Barry as his main transfer target for the summer as well as renewing his interested in Manchester City midfielder Michael Johnson.

The Spaniard was said to be seriously considering his long-term future at the club after revelations over the weekend that co-owner Tom Hicks had a second meeting with Jurgen Klinsmann over the possibility of replacing Benitez towards the end of last year.

However, the uncertainty surrounding the club at boardroom level has not prevented Benitez from drawing up a list of players he wants to add to the squad, should he remain in charge, with Barry a priority.

Benitez has requested a meeting with chief executive Rick Parry to clear the air after details of the second meeting emerged. Parry and other members of the Liverpool board were present at the New York meeting in Novemeber but not at Hicks' holiday home in California during Thanksgiving weekend.

Benitez's interest in the England midfield player is longstanding and reports suggest Hicks and Benitez have discussed a possible £12 million transfer already with Villa officials. Parry was not party to those discussions.

Barry, 27, has established himself as a mainstay of the England squad over the last season since moving to a more central, holding role under Martin O'Neill.

England manager Fabio Capello has spoken of his admiration for the technical qualities of the player and, though Liverpool appear well stocked with central midfielders, his addition would give depth to Liverpool's squad in an important area.


More media bullcrap for mine but worth mentioning and seeing everyone's reaction. Personally, dont want him or need him if he is playing a holding role OR on the left. Thats my opinion, yours?

[garlo_10]

read either today or yesterday on the bbc rumour page that gerrard is backing his bid for him aswell

[lil cisse]

No thanks, Either Modric or Diego all the way if were are gonna buy another centre mid kind of player

I'd take him he's a good player BUT I would take him after these two really.

[garlo_10]

No thanks, Either Modric or Diego all the way if were are gonna buy another centre mid kind of player

I'd take him he's a good player BUT I would take him after these two really.

but he is also a left sided player and he can do a good job out there, but as you said don't need another central player and I hope if this rumor is true that rafa isn't buying him for that position

[MsGerrard]

read either today or yesterday on the bbc rumour page that gerrard is backing his bid for him aswell

Him and Stevie are big mates aren't they.

[crouchinho]

read either today or yesterday on the bbc rumour page that gerrard is backing his bid for him aswell

Twas the S*n your quoting my friend. Sorry to burst your bubble but that garbage aint allowed 'ere.

On a note not related to the paper/waste of recyclabe resources, I heard they were good mates from the international team from a totally unrelated source

[lil cisse]

Him and crouch are almost best mates and him and stevie are good friends.

[EddieC]

Rafa is known to be a fan of versatile players so this could well be a possibility. He can play left back, left mid or centre mid, and does a good job in all three positions. As a left back I would say he's better than Riise is these days, and if we can recoup the £5-7m that's been quoted it would put a fair bit towards the transfer. If we're going to stick to the 4-2-3-1 formation next season I do think we actually need another player who can play in that holding role, at the moment if one of our DM's gets injured we have no experienced backup for the position and would either have to throw in a youngster or change our formation. He can also play on the wing offering a more defensive option out there, which is useful when playing a team that's a major threat on the wings as he can double up on the opposition winger with the full back. At £12m I'd go for him, but I wouldn't pay much more.

[Ra Ra Rafa]

Are you a fan of the 4-2-3-1 formation though Ed? I'm not, especially if we are playing a team like Middlesbrough where it's just totally unnecessary for two holding midfielders.

I think Rafa does this because he knows our central defense is not strong enough yet. Or our defense in general, it's probably the weakest part of our team putting aside wingers....

Gareth Barry would be a good buy, but how much do we really need him?

[Shoelessboy]

Barry is indeed a very good player, one of my favourites and I think he is very under-rated (less so since getting into the England squad). However the problem is, where do we play him? Central? Then do we drop Xabi or Javier? Or do we play him on the left and either move Babel to the right or drop him? Another problem is that he isnt a natural left sided midfielder.

So Ra Ra Rafa's point still remains, how much do we need him? Personally I'd say not £12 million's worth.

[kop1985]

Are you a fan of the 4-2-3-1 formation though Ed? I'm not, especially if we are playing a team like Middlesbrough where it's just totally unnecessary for two holding midfielders.

Personally I'm a big fan of the 4-2-3-1 system as it's nice to see us really attacking and taking teams apart in numbers.  Before this era of our new system we were famed for being an ultra defensive team and relying on counter attacks.  We have a defensive unit and an attacking unit, they all know their individual roles and it works.

I do think GB can do a job for LFC, he isn't a world beater but is a good versatile dependable player who imo would be a good acquisition.

[Dadorious]

At that price no way would he be an option for me not a young lad either.

I would have rather forked out another 3 mill and got Modric.

[Ra Ra Rafa]

At that price no way would he be an option for me not a young lad either.

I would have rather forked out another 3 mill and got Modric.

Well said, and he's a good 5 years younger!

[Scouse pie]

Stevie G would be happy if he comes. I agree with the geneal consensus here that he is a versatile player. Personally I think he is a very good player but if he wants to play every week, then he should stay at Aston Villa as he is the talisman of the club. However you cannot blame him for being attracted to champions league football. It is difficult to see where he will fit in such is the depth in the centr midfield. Would thi smean Alonso leaving, for I do prefer Alsonso. But Barry is a good option and for me would be a good squad player.

[Magillionare]

If he comes he will be at LB in my opinion, Xabi is on red hot form at the min so I dont think rafas thinking of replacing him.

[bartman49]

I see O'Neil only letting Barry go if he can have one of our players as part of the deal.

What player would you allow to go in such a deal ?