Gareth Barry is ok, but what Liverpool really need are more match winners
IT'S not that Gareth Barry isn't a good player and wouldn't be a decent addition to Liverpool's squad.
But he's not the sort of player Liverpool urgently need to address the shortcomings that have added up to a disappointing season.
The most significant aspect of the pursuit of Barry is that it would appear to signal the end of Xabi Alonso.
I can't really see any other reason for buying the Aston Villa captain, because would Barry necessarily have more impact than Alonso? I think that would just be like for like.
Alonso has fallen prey to the circumstances that often affect foreign players, especially ones who have a great first season and become such a big player for their team, as he undoubtedly did.
He isn't the central focus any more and with his partner having a baby this season, a move back home to Spain seems more attractive to him all the time.
With Javier Mascherano in the midfield now, Alonso seems to have a lot of his work done for him and I wouldn't be surprised if he felt a bit sidelined now. Maybe a little bit surplus after initially being the creative hub of the side.
Combine that with his personal circumstances and I think it's an easy way out for him now - and I'm sure Barry would find it easy to slot into that role.
He also has the added advantage of being able to drift to the left and provide an extra outlet there if necessary.
Which is all very well - but what Rafael Benitez really needs more of is match-winners. And as valuable an addition as Barry could be, I don't see him as one of those.
As well as new signings, Benitez needs the likes of Ryan Babel to come through for him, because at the moment it's only Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard you can rely on to produce the moments that change the big games.
I feel that's what ultimately cost them against Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final last week.
As I feared, Gerrard couldn't get free from Claude Makelele and that's a big problem when there aren't players who can make a similar impact.
Chelsea are one of those teams who are so good in defence they don't give you anything, you have to work extremely hard to get anywhere against them. You need that extra but of class and invention and it was all too rare when it mattered.
It all reflected the problems Benitez seems to face every year now. He has a good side easily good enough for the top four, but stripped to the bare bones they are a bit short of what it takes to compete consistently at Chelsea and Manchester United's level.
And against those teams you get caught out if the squad isn't good enough. This is something Benitez already knows, but I just think it emphasises the gulf that exists between teams at all levels of English football now. You've got your bottom eight, next eight then the top four - and even within that there's still a long way to go to get from four to one.
That's why you've got to have more than a couple of match-winners. If he had as many as Manchester United, for example, it wouldn't matter if he left players out early on in the season to keep them fresh for the run-in.
That wouldn't affect results and it would keep Liverpool in contention for the title when his top players would be sufficiently rested to keep up the challenge.
But at the moment rotating the squad in the early stages of the season doesn't work. The quantity is fine but the quality is a different issue. At the moment Gareth Barry isn't the answer to that - so it's up to Benitez's bosses to help him find plenty more this summer.
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i think that is so spot on! i agree with u 100 percent. Barry will not really make a difference to the squad. However, i disagree on Alonso. I still think he is the maestro at passing long range ball (if he's on form that is). Mascherano & Lucas doesnt really posses that skill. Alonso can still be useful to the squad. He shouldn't go. He could be an option for Rafa. I think he is versatile, he can defend & he can attack with his killer passes. He shouldn't go.
Finally someone talking some sense, barry is definately not our answer to push us into the top 3. I very much think it will be a case of selling alonso for barry.
Liverpool lack at the very least 2 very high quality and speedy wingers along with a top class goal scorer. Kuyt for me just doesnt have it. In the PL you need break neck pace and skill to play striker. Kuyt has none of these attributes.
I wouldnt even mind seeing some pacy full backs which can cross as well as defend. Must be asking too much considering the dollar is worth loo roll at the moment and hicks will never be able to compete. Loans need to be paid back and the interest will eventually kill us in the medium term.
Dirk Kuyt,Riise,Hypia,Bennayoun,Voronin OUT,Barry doesnt need to the team Rafa,we have Xabi Alonso,we need lennon and mancini and refresh to the defennsive,Babel need to play with Torres attackt.
(Reina)Alves,Agger,Skrtel,Aurelio,Mancini,Xabi Alonso,Gerrard,Lennon,Babel,Torres)this is my imagine:P
If you look at our results this season the key has not been the games we have lost but the games we have drawn.
Too often our forward play has been a little too laboured and there has been a lack of options going forward, with few of our players capable of making the opposition commit themselves. Especially when we were not playing well.
I'd say the key is addressing this problem. Two attack minded wide men, and another class forward would help with this, as well as well as new options as full backs.
I would say that Barry is nowhere near as good as Alonso. Alonso makes killer passes, strings our play together and is a key player within the team. Barry is a good premiership player but for England, playing in central midfield only played really well in two of the European Championship qualifiers, in the others he disappeared when the pressure was on.
If you look when we have struggled this season it has been when Alonso has either been injured or struggling getting back from injury, He hasn't had a great season but I'll be very disappointed if he leaves and I think he'll be very difficult to replace.
yeah keep alonso. don't pack the centre. get quality wide men and another decent striker