Gareth Barry to Liverpool - another smart Benitez move?

is buying english players because Sepp Blockhead is trying to bring in his own rules for football clubs again

Rafa can never be short of central midfield players. Gerrard is playing as a secondary striker anyway. That leaves us with Mascherano, who should be the first name on the team sheet for years to come, Xabi Alonso who hasn't looked like his former self for almost 1,5 seasons now and Lucas, who still has a lot to learn. Barry could offer experience and leadership right away, and he is left-footed, so would give the team a whole lot more in terms of balance and positioning play ...

I reckon if Sepp gets his way, then Rafa will have to be buying loadsa players like Barry, Bentley, Abonglahor, Ashely Young, Lennon, Tom Huddlestone, Downing ect... I feel most of those players would be risky additions to most of the top four teams for me I would only buy- Barry, Huddlestone and Lennon-The rest for me are a little pampered at their respected clubs... Although Young and Abonglahor have been fantastic this season, there is a slight possibility that they are one year wonders, only a slight one though...

What if Rafa isn't planning on selling Alonso, maybe a midfield four of Barry, Alonso, Mascherano and Gerrard is the plan, neither Barry or Gerrard are traditional wingers, but both have the class and ability to play on their respective wings....just a thought

During the last 12 months the club has brought in 9 senior players. Torres, Babel, Benayoun, Itandje, Voronin, Lucas, Leto, Mascherano, Skrtel - and numerous youngsters on top of that. I think we`ll see a similar trend this year, the difference being that British players will arrive in greater numbers. Losing Crouch would be a blow, losing Pennant and Finnan less so. But adding quality British players may be key sooner rather than later due to emerging rule changes. Richards, Bentley, Barry and Ramsey, etc. would fit nicely. In addition we should bring in some flair players in midfield, and, since flair players of British descent are hard to come by, the club should look into young and upcoming stars like Rakitic, Kranjcar (Croatia), Afellay (Holland). We also need extra fire-power upfront. If Crouch stays we need to bring in a young poacher. If Crouch goes we need to bring in an all-round attacker of high quality, the only problem being that such players are hard to come by, and they will not enjoy spending most of their time as understudies of Torres. We`ll see, but i`m supremely confident Benitez has what it takes to bring this club all the way! YNWA

Fine i agree Liverpool may need to top up slightly on english players but these rules wont surely be bought in in the space of ayear as many large clubs would lose a fortune having to unload contracted stars. If Liverpool are to buy English then Young Agbonlahor Richards are the way to go they fill some of the weaknesses and are young enough to be a major part of the side once these rules are implemented if at all they dont need Barry.

I think Gareth Barry would be perfect for Liverpool. Controversially, I think that abi has had his best days in a reds shirt. Didnt perform last season or this seaon either (i know he's been injured though), and lived on the memory of his first 2 seasons. Javier, (whatta player) plays very deep, and he plays better when there is one holding player (as seen in the first half of the season). Garteh Barry not only get forward and scores goals (which Alonso doenst do), he can also defend and isnt afraid of a challenge and can defend (again, unlike Alonso). He wouldnt be short of games and it would also enhance his England prospects and building a partnership with Gerrard. Hope he comes! Like the Villa though.

Dude aren't you a cricket dude? I don't think that midfield would work - it's too narrow. Afraid to say it's time to lose Xabi and get Mascha and Barry to anchor with Gerrard more forward thinking. Alternatively, Barry on the left, Masha and Gerrard in the middle and a classy/pacey right sided winger making up the midfield, with Torres and Kenwynne Jones as Strikers. Sweeeeet!

I known its time to play with absence of Alonso in the field, but Barry can fill the gap and the man is good fighter infront of the goal and on defensive. It will be 98% acceptable for Rafa to sign him.

Barry can also play left back, a position Liverpool aren't strong in. As much as I appreciate what Riise has won at Anfield, Barry is certainly better defensively, and can surpass the Norwegian for dead ball delivery.

Barry is left footed the rest are right footed. Barry is also English