Would Liverpool Fans Prefer Xabi Alonso or Aston Villa’s Gareth Barry in their Midfield?
Press reports suggest Liverpool will soon sell Spanish international Xabi Alonso to Juventus in a deal ranging from £12-16 million. If this deal does eventually go through his likely replacement will be Aston Villa’s Captain Gareth Barry. But how would the majority of Reds fans feel about this bit of business?
After all, Alonso is a year younger than his Villa counterpart and is arguably the best passer of a ball at Anfield. However, the Spaniard made only 19 League appearances last season as his standing at the club dwindled following the emergence of Javier Mascherano and Lucas as well as various fall-outs with manager Rafa Benitez. The 26-year-old was also found lacking on a number of occasions in the last campaign particularly against Arsenal’s athletic young side in the Champions League where the Gunners one touch passing triangles perfectly illustrated Alonso’s lack of pace and mobility as he consistently chased shadows. However, do you believe the expected signing of England international Barry to be an improvement to the team?
The 27-year-old Villa Captain has emerged as a regular England international under the tutelage of Martin O’Neill and has proved his consistency and fitness over the last campaign. Barry played in 37 of his club’s 38 Premier League games and weighed in with 9 goals (though 5 of those were penalties). He is an extremely hard working player and although not blessed with pace Barry covers far more ground than Alonso currently does.
So would you be happy with Barry’s arrival to replace Alonso? Or would you prefer to keep the cultured Spaniard and attempt to strengthen different areas of the squad? Let’s hear your views.
Tags: Aston Villa, Gareth Barry, Liverpool, Xabi Alonso
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:23
Xabi’s best years have gone now, he has looked pedestrian to be honest, get Barry in to give us real English spine to the side to compete with United and Chelsea!
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:30
Its irrelevant what Liverpool fans want. Gareth Barry plays for Aston Villa where he will be staying.
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:36
Look its up to Barry where he goes what he does not up to us mere fans… Would like to see it happen tho… And Keep Xabi, he is good, but lacking pace and game time over the past 2 season, keep Crouch too…
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:37
is this the same jonah who said that villa will overshadow liverpool next season or something equally as stupid?
if so, are you going to answer my question this time or continue to stay silent in your dream world?
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:40
Poor Jonah, Its pretty clear that Barry WILL be a Liverpool Player in the next month or so, no matter how loud O’Neill’s protestations.
He’s put in a good shift @ Villa and now wants a better chance of Silverware - he’ll get that at Liverpool in the short term whereas Villa’s silverware hopes are longer term.
Villa are most definately a better side than under previous managers, but are still leagues behind Liverpool.
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:41
completely agree with Mick Mack, well said, jonah has obviously been smoking something he shouldnt!
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:42
Hands off Gareth, you scousers just keep concentrating on spicks! Up the Villa!
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:43
Jonah is that you? Its worrying when you talk to yourself!
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:44
Hej Jonah,
You better get your Kleenex out!
Barry signs for Liverpool next week.
Why would he want to stay for Villa when he can play for one of the most highly regarded teams in the world?
Get a life! YNWA
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:45
No, am another Villa faithful!
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:46
ah so you’re the other one?
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:46
Barry is still a Villa player so I couldn’t care less where Xabi goes!
Jonah is stating facts. Now go back to stealing hub caps.
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:47
Yes there are three of us already here, Jonah, me and Gareth.
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:47
Ah that’s four, welcome Matt!
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:48
Alonso doesn’t cover much ground???
Lack of mobility??
If you had seen the Arsenal game and looked at the statistics you could see Xabi had run the most miles on the whole pitch. More then Gerrard, Masch, Flamini and Fabregas!
Xabi over Barry any time.
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:49
and Matt apparently
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:49
still no sign of jonah though!
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:51
The notion that Barry would be a replacement for Alonso is nonsense - they are different types of player. Pace is not a big issue for Alonso as he uses the ball so intelligently, and I would definitely keep him. I wouldn’t mind seeing Barry at Anfield as well.
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:52
Was Alonso running after the game finished then? cos he was so slow it was untrue, Fabregas was a class above him
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:54
Seems there are still a lot of scousers in dreamland this morning. It’s like trying to educate pork!
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:56
If it’s the same Jonah from Vital Villa then he aint got to answer to you Liverfool fans. Delusions of grandure is all I can say to LFC fans. Lets face it Villa have got more chance of winning the league! Villa’s last 3 seasons been on the up 16th -> 11th -> 6th -> 1st
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:59
Thought you lot sign on on Thursday’s?
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:01
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha bunch of absolute idiots!
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:03
I would like to apologise for slagging of all of you scousers. Shame on me.
I am going back to Vital Football to educate some pork!
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:03
Barry is quality, and as a loyal Villa fan I would be sad to see him go.
All though Villa are getting better and better all the time, I think that if Barry is promised first team football at Liverpool then he will leave. But the fee must be fair and if Rafa thinks that Crouchy is worth 15m and doesn’t even start then surely Barry who is playing every week is surely worth more?
I have a lot of time for Liverpool and their supporters, and who could blame Baz for wanting a chance to actually win a bit of silverware? He’s given us 10 years and has never let us down.
Villa are on the up mark my words, but are still 2 or 3 quality players away from being Liverpool so lets just let Barry make the decision and then lets all respect it.
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:04
It appears that Liverpool fans really struggle to view their club with any level of objectivity. Good playing staff,decent manager, bad club.
Sooner or later, the Hicks/Gillet fiasco will catch up with Liverpool, Im sure of it.
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:09
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha I repeat, scousers are a bunch of absolute idiots. can’t stay lads, got some hub caps to nick before I sign on.
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:10
alonso is great and i carnt beleve so called liverpool fans r wanting him auctioned of u obviously have no clue on football we should keep him only a offer of 35 million would or should b considderd
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:14
Liverpool what a joke of a club, its only a matter of time before you will no longer be able to tread water all that debt will catch up with you, lets face it your never going to win the premiership again, with a manager who cant even pick a starting 11 and stick to it and a joke of a board consisting of 2 warring yanks who are in to make a quick buck, i look forward to seeing your new stadium. OH WAIT YOU CANT AFFORD IT!
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:26
right you over the top Villa fans get over ya self! nicking hub caps, signing on? i would like to se you knobs say it to any scousers face we would kill ya!
barry will come he has common sense unlike you jokers, peace!
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:29
If Barry has ambition to win trophies to look back on at the end of his career then realistically Liverpool is a great move for him. If he does leave I think Villa fans should be grateful for 10 years service and you’ll get a far higher fee than you would have got when he nearly joined the club he supports Tottenham a few seasons back
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:30
Jmy = Typical Scouser
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:36
Gypo
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:38
Why be abusive lads? Fair enough you don’t want Barry to leave but state your argument rather than this childish stuff.
May 22nd, 2008 at 13:04
Don’t know why you keep saying your gonna get Barry when Rafa mucked it up by bidding for him before the season ended. If he goes anywhere and I mean IF it would be Chelsea (because as you said, he wants to win things) and lets be honest he would have more off a chance of winning things at Chelsea. How much did you spend last summer (over 50 mill wasn’t it?) and what did you win…………… the gap says it all:). Rafa the tappa! ha ha ha
May 22nd, 2008 at 13:21
35 mill for Alonso….. are you mad!!! Well I suppose you are scouse! says it all! ha ha ha ha ha
May 22nd, 2008 at 13:21
35 mill for Alonso….. are you mad!!! Well I suppose you are scouse! says it all! ha ha ha ha ha ha
May 22nd, 2008 at 13:27
# James Says:
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:38
Why be abusive lads? Fair enough you don’t want Barry to leave but state your argument rather than this childish stuff.
No argument to state!!! He’s contracted to Villa end of!
May 22nd, 2008 at 13:28
Used to like Liverpool, had a lot of respect for them. But since the yanks took over you have lost your professional status that you had had for many years. Tapping up , board troubles as well as bringing in half the spanish National team has done you no good at all. Why would Barry want to come to club that is full of curruption when he can play week in week out for the Villa, with a stong chance of silverware next season and it will not hurt his England credentials!
May 22nd, 2008 at 13:43
Has Barry really excelled this season? I saw a forum the other day and most of the Villa fans were criticising him to be honest
May 22nd, 2008 at 13:59
Well James if you look it the Actim Index. It will actually say that he is the second best midfilder this season stats wise. Can you guess who was ahead of him?? The one and only Ronaldo! He has scored better than Gerrard…… and the stats don’t lie.
May 22nd, 2008 at 14:12
I am only saying what I read and to be honest the Actim Index means nothing to me. I have always rated him even when he was playing at the back years ago.
May 22nd, 2008 at 14:55
Ok this whole argument is null and void to be honest why argue over will he wont he. atm hes contracted to villa, liverpool have made an offer and if they sell alonso to juve then he will get regular first team football. chelsea wont be too much of a lure they can only offer money as given the chance chelski would play lampard ballack essien ahead of him then they have a further 3-4 average players who can play there. Benitez has been critisized for swapping and changing his squad but overall this season hes changed like .01 more players a game than man utd have who won the league. people become to reliant on the media to form opinions and dont care to look at the stats that they try to back up there arguments with. i would still imagine that if barry was to go to liverpool he would want some reassurence from rafa regarding the board room fall outs.
May 22nd, 2008 at 15:06
I tell you what, Villa will buy torres and Gerrard of you (we can afford) problem solved, Gerrard will have his chance to link up with his bum chum and we’ll win the league!!!
May 22nd, 2008 at 15:49
As a villa fan i fink barry is an improvement on alonso. Hes a better alrounder, better than hes allowed 2 show 4 england. Rafa annoyes me tho, 10 million 4 barry, bt he wants 16 4 alonso, doesnt make sense. Why is a better player worth less? Carson 10 million, the most expensive in england ever! He wasnt even in the top 10 keepers last year. Should have had more respect than 2 put in an offer wiv 2 massive games left 4 us. If barry wants 2 leave we’ll av crouch carson n pennant off u. Ill b gutted 2 see him go tho
May 22nd, 2008 at 16:00
Barry, if he leaves will go to Chelski a club which will challenge next year, Villa may well be behind L Pool but L Pool are also behind Chelski, manure and Arsenal. Next year with little money and a manager who upsets everyone in the game you aint goin any further UTV
May 22nd, 2008 at 16:01
Totally agree there. 10 mill for Barry and 16 for Alonso……. is he takin the pi** or what?? Thats Rafa down to a tee. What it is is that Liverpool actually have NO money. They spent so much last season and won NOTHING that the board are saying he must sell first to buy. Thats why he came in with a piss poor bid for Barry, why he wants 10 mill! for Carson (5 mill max) and why he’s trying to sell an 8 mill midfielder for double the price. Liverpool are in trouble I tll you!
May 22nd, 2008 at 16:04
keep alonso.. he’s a master in passing the ball.. he’s jst not in form bcoz of injuries n all.. but im sure hell be ok next season. BRING OWEN BACK HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 22nd, 2008 at 18:52
alright alright villa fans calm down, calm down…players like barry leave when the grass looks greener…well they do doe don’t they!!!!
May 22nd, 2008 at 21:38
I think Liverpool fans are forgetting they haven’t won anything for 2 years and they are playing under a lot more pressure with a squabbling boardroom.
If Barry was leaving he would of decided by now, when Randy showed him the sum’s he plans to spend this summer surely his decision was made.
If we get 3 top players and 4-5 good squad players e.g. Shorey, Sidwell and Dunne I think Liverpool will be the ones in the Uefa spots and Barry will captain us to Champions League qualification and Uefa cup glory!!!!!!
May 22nd, 2008 at 21:42
Remember our friendly last year?
Aston Villa 3 Inter Milan 0
May 22nd, 2008 at 22:58
Barry has a tough desicion, he hs served us well but Liverpool are the greatest team England has produced thus far, and will always be there or there abouts. I believe we can catch them and match them (top four) but we are a few seasons away yet, and I believe O’Niell and Lerners £600m private funds can get us there, we have no debts and a brilliant future ahead of us, so can Barry wait? will he edge his bets ? who knows. And on the subject of Alonso, he is by far a better player than barry ever will be, full stop. Maybe he will move on to AC Milan, Juve, Barca, Real Madrid….lets face it, he has the quality…..if we are lucky maybe a straight swap……in our dreams !!
May 30th, 2008 at 22:27
as much as i do like liverpool they are the team i can take they are very good, but i really dont think you need barry and i think barry willdo better at villa because he wont be playing as much at liverpool whereas if he stays at villa his got first place spot and captain!!!
please barry stay!!!!
barry for villa