Liverpool manager hints towards final signing of summer
by Jon on August 9th, 2008
| 309 words |
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez decided to wind journalists up last night after the Reds beat Lazio 1-0 in a friendly, by announcing the club were on the verge of signing a major target.
Of course, everyone knew he meant Gareth Barry, but he refused to name the Aston Villa midfielder.
Although Villa boss Martin O’Neill conceded last week that Barry might leave, it’s always been rumoured that a proposed fee of £18m was the sticking point.
“The situation is not a question of money,” Benitez told reporters.
“He is English and can play three different positions, but I am talking about someone who can play on the left…I am talking about one player, but I won’t say the name.”
This has to be Barry, 27, who can play central midfield, on the left and left-back.
It’s been touted that midfield maestro Xabi Alonso will have to make way for Barry, funding Benitez’s forays into the transfer market. But from what Benitez said last night, the EURO 2008 winner and firm fans favourite looks set to stay.
“We have a good player (Alonso) and we have another good player coming in soon,” gushed Benitez.
“We can improve the squad, so we will try to do that. We will bring in one more player if we can.
“I do not know when but clearly we have problems on the left, Kewell has gone, Aurelio is injured and Leto cannot get a work permit.
“Who comes in? It could be another left-sided player rather than a central midfielder.
“Maybe he can play in three different positions, that is a positive thing. I am talking about one player, but I won’t say the name.” (Source: BBC)
Ordinarily it’s a 5-nil victory that sends the manager delirious, not a dull encounter in a pre-season friendly. Gareth Barry as a creative, forward-thinking left-back or left-winger? Er, no, Rafa. What was in your pre-match paella?
We're giving you £10 FREE so show some bollocks and BET NOW!
Tagged Under: benitez, Gareth Barry, liverpool fc
Ticky - August 9th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
If the Americans can’t afford to run Liverpool AND build the new stadium, they should sell to DIC asap. Can you imagine the Arabs telling Rafa to sell one of his best players before he can sign Gareth Barry? No, neither can I. Personally, I’d rather stay at Anfield and win the Premiership than move to Stanley Park and finish behind Man Ure and Chelski again.
S4E - August 9th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
YOU WILL BE LUCKY IF YOU WILL FINISH IN THE TOP FOUR, ticky
Ben - August 9th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
Dont think so! Yeah i would prefer to be at anfield as well, the yanks are just tight and know nothing about football. Barry would benefit the team but i dont think he could play on the Left, he is not quick enough but would be a good signing, we need a proper left winger!
liverpool4ever - August 9th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
Barry wont be at Liverpool next week unless rafa can sell a few players, he’s shown that already in buying Keane we had to sell crouch, le tallec,carson, guthrie and risse to bring keane in.
I just cant see him getting the 18 million by next week, who can we sell to get 18 million pounds?
We could have done with Barry for the champions league game, and it seems now even Barry’s pissed off with the whole situation.
liverpool4ever - August 9th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
As for selling the club do you think the Arabs are going to come in and buy the club, with 350 million pounds worth of debt attached to it. Them Americans aint dopey they have secured the debt against the club.
It would be like buying a car for 10,000 pound, but having to pay 100,000 pound for it as the people before have borrowed money against it, i reckon they will have to do a hpi check before they buy.
big ears - August 9th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
i hear he’s given up on barry and is goin for downing, you heard it here first, although i wouldnt right an article on it just yet mr. comfort!!!
matL - August 9th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
hmm from my point of view..Rafa is goin to buy david silva for the left winger because silva is very fit in left winger though..good crossing is the one that Rafa’s searching for..and that would be DAVID SILVA!!!!!!!!
dibbler - August 9th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
I was at the match yesterday and some people were singing about how you can shove barry up your arse and singing alonso’s name. Dont get me wrong i am a massive fan of alonso and hope hope hope he stays but the dickheads saying they dont want barry can’t have a fucking clue about football we as a team would benefit so much by signing him he has a great understanding with gerrard that would only get better and would bring balance to the whole side and the people saying about not enough pace it would be nice to buy a player who is an olympic runner with the skill of zidane but apart from a rare few they dont come round too often and they certainly dont come for 18m.In all barry is a good answer to a problem that has been created by a season of sales and slight misfortunes and he is a class player who will score goals and help make the team tick if we get him it may just be the extra points a season to put us in the running come next may!!! Do it Rafa just get him
dibbler - August 9th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
i did not write that last comment
dibbler - August 9th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
yes i did
redonred - August 9th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
I can’t understand why the yanks are fretting over the age / sell on price of Barry…Have’nt we just spent 20 mil or so on Keane….and if my memory serves me, he is roughly same age as Barry?
chico - August 9th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Rafa has to be the biggest tit in football. He spends all summer trying to flog Alonso, then pretends he really doesn’t want to sell him, unless someone offers him a price he can’t refuse, (a little bit obvious and desperate Rafa). He spends months breaking FA rules chasing other players he can’t afford and now he declates he hasn’t bought Barry for reasons other than ‘Pool can’t afford a pot to piss in. Really rafa, you’ll have to do better. You’re a laughing stock man and so is your club. Toffee fans must be pissing themselves laughing.
Rob - August 9th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
I’m sure they’re laughing yeah. Selling one of their few good players and buying noone else while all around them their rivals are strengthenin like mad. Sure they’re pissing themselves.
nuttynattee - August 9th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
David Silva?
lfc - August 9th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
i fink he gna buy david silver
lets jus hope its him and not barrryy
xabi alonso better passer n he can feed to torres n keane
City Scouse - August 9th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
What a mess this club is in. Rafa wants Barry. Yanks don’t. Gerrard wants his mate to play with. The fans at Anfield want Alonso. The actual performance was mediocre.
We don’t need Barry. We don’t need the Yanks
Rob - August 10th, 2008 at 1:17 am
Well that’s the end of that then…
Liverpool FC Chief Executive Rick Parry said: “There has been a lot of comment today regarding our position with regards to Gareth Barry.
“This is not about questioning the Manager’s judgement or the ability of a particular player. The owners have clearly demonstrated throughout the year they are willing to back Rafa in the transfer market and will continue to do so.
“It is obviously the selling club’s prerogative to put whatever price they want on the player, but on this occasion Liverpool think the price quoted is too high.”
Fernando - August 10th, 2008 at 3:13 am
Instead of trying like mad to sell one of our better players (Alonso) why are we not selling the remaining shit that floats around our benches all year! There is a reason why the fans at anfield are shouting what they are, alonso has had man of the match throughout pre-season yet Rafa still doesnt rule out selling. Barry would be a good signing but not if we have to sell alonso and pay 18 mil 4 him. If its a left sided midfielder we need why arent we buying one instead of yet another CM??
cuttsy - August 10th, 2008 at 4:17 am
Barry is a waste of money 12 million at most get a better midflieder like silva and keep alonso
jules - August 10th, 2008 at 7:27 am
we can challenge for the title now. what hurt us last season was our less than consistent defence. giving up goals off of set pieces and such. we drew too many games. we have two new attacking minded backs, and agger back. we have robbie keane to hopefully put us over the top in terms of scoring goals. our youngsters have proven that they are quality. yossi is going nuts on the pitch every game. alonso has had quality performances since Euro. we have the most versatile and potent striker in the game (heading, pace, class, composure, power, instinct). If anyone says any different about Torres they are a fucking joke. i dont think we need barry to seal the deal in the prem or champs. However, having Barry only makes our situation better.
LIVERTHEDREAM - August 10th, 2008 at 10:49 am
kuyt,Pennant,Leto,Babbel, All tho babbel is a quality player but is not an out and out winger please tell me any of these so called wingers that would get into the top 3 sides or top five for that matter this is the only positions we need to improve, a player that can run past players and gets you on the edge of your seat when he gets the ball some one who can win a game with a bit of magic this aint Barry its Silva.
Dave - August 10th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
i still think barry will come i dnt no why i just do but i would love to see us get someone like deigo who would cost 10m more than barry
anonymous - August 10th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
It’s going to be David Silva.
harry - August 10th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
our problem last season was converting possesion against the top sides enforced by our strong spine into chances as our wingers pennant, kuyt, ect are now where near the standard of nani, ronaldo, giggs of man u and this is where the 11 point gap was created. While Barry would help us instigate more control in the matches against the Arsenal, Chelsea and man u he will not offer the creativity to break down opponents in the majority of matches. Silva however is not an all out out winger and will end up as a playmaker, I think Drenthe who is unsettled at Real Madrid due to lack of playing time and disputes with his coach offers a similar amount of promise and could come for something in the region of 12 million. He posseses the power and pace to adapt to the premier league and has impresses at marid on the left winger with Babel and kuyt already at Liverpool to help him adjust while the Dutch are renowned for their grasp of the English language .
dave in ireland - August 10th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
God be with the days when Liverpool used to be able to do their transfer business in private . Remember when Kenny arrived ? I still have the newspaper of the day . I am a true fan since 1971 and to be honest all this shit about who is coming or not coming is making a mockery of our great club .It is a time to back Rafa to the hilt or lose him too and then what ? one of the Ex Mancs as a manager !
Pablo - August 11th, 2008 at 8:44 am
I don’t see the point in backing Benitez in the hunt for Keane and then not coming through with Barry. As someone mentioned before, those who don’t want Barry are delirious. He is quality and would be a great addition to the squad.
Fearon - August 11th, 2008 at 9:24 am
The left sided player IS David Silva - who can play Left Wing, Right Wing and AM Centre. £18,000,000 deal will be wrapped up this week. Steven Gerrard will play CM next season along with Alonso, Lucas, Mascherano (both after olympics), with Plessis and Spearing trying to break through. The Wingers/Dropp off Torres will be Kuyt,
Yossi, Keane, Babel and Pennant. Voronin and Ngog will battle it out to deputise El Nino
Pablo - August 11th, 2008 at 10:22 am
sorry the player Rafa referring to is Leo Messi
Pablo - August 11th, 2008 at 11:07 am
moron
Anonymous - August 11th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
It’s Joe Cole
Donavan Ried - August 11th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
I have to admirer “Tricky” thoughts and his attitude towards the yanks, although I have to disagree with him. The best way forward for Liverpool Fc is the Yanks, or should i say Hicks. Gillet was only ever intrested in turning a quick buck. Hicks seem to truely want to take the club forward. We (liverpool Fc) need someone like Hicks who can biuld us Stanley Park and bring in more money that way, but the team has to do there part and start be showing more grit a detremination and go as for in every competition as possible, only then will our future look bright.
TRibe. - August 21st, 2008 at 9:03 pm
Look, Silva is a brilliant winger, Barry is a brilliant center midfielder and Messi is brilliant, but we will only be buying one of them and how do we know which one it is going to be. For all we know its going to be Emanuelson (good, strong, can play 3 positions LB, LM and CB.) What we need is financial backing and a young speedy winger, and personaly i would rather stay at anfield and give that 350 million or what ever to buy all of them without selling anyone else.