Gaz Baz

[reds123]

According to newspapers this morning, Downing and Barry are being linked with an Anfield move.

IMO we don't need them. Barry is a very good player but why can't a player like Spearing be given a chance? After all we have Alonso, Masch, Gerrard and Plessis as well. (we also have Lucas) who isn't an Anfield fav.

Downing is not the Liverpool type of player we need. He is average sometimes worse and sometimes a bit better than Riera! Perhaps he has better acceleration and speed. But certainly he wouldn't make a difference in class in this Liverpool squad.

[Carras_Shin_Pads]

Step in the wrong direction imo

[dww]

The thing is how can we know if Spearing is good enough. If Rafa feels not I think he is right to go for Barry as I feel we need four CMs one of which is a more dynamic option than Alonso, Mascherano and Lucas.

Plessis has regressed and I think he should probably be sold.

I'm not sure that Downing offers much except freekicks that Riera doesn't - the only reason to sign him would be worries about quotas. If we worry about that we should be giving the likes are Darby and Spearing the chance to shine. I think we need to bring in an attacking player with pace which is not Downing. I do think though that he would improve in a better team.

[the rev leeroy brown]

i'm all for signing another centre mid but not gareth barry. i'm not getting back into a barry slagging thread but he is ****e. not anywhere near good enough for us.

as for downing.......don't make me laugh. he is terrible. one trick pony as he can cross the ball THAT IS ALL.

plaese for the love of god rafa, spend ****ing wisley this year and get a right winger who is pacy direct and can cross, a striker to back up torres and maybe glen johnson for cover at right back.

[Kenneth]

i'm all for signing another centre mid but not gareth barry. i'm not getting back into a barry slagging thread but he is ****e. not anywhere near good enough for us.

as for downing.......don't make me laugh. he is terrible. one trick pony as he can cross the ball THAT IS ALL.

plaese for the love of god rafa, spend ****ing wisley this year and get a right winger who is pacy direct and can cross, a striker to back up torres and maybe glen johnson for cover at right back.

The prospect of Downing is even worse then Barry. If we get sign Barry for no more than 6 or 7 milllion then fair enough, more and I would save the cash for a proper player. Downing can piss right off.

[Imy]

As both are English we'd be paying over the odds for them, I hope we don't sign either.

[dww]

As both are English we'd be paying over the odds for them, I hope we don't sign either.

I suspect that this summer due to the strength of the Euro english players (or at least players based in England) will be far more attractive (comparatively) than they have been for years.

[Craig_H]

Barry i can understand, but there's no value in signing Downing IMO. Even if Boro go down, i cant see him being sold for less than £10m and we really dont need him. If Babel goes, we might need a new left winger but Downing isnt anything great. We've had our fill of expensive 'ok but not brilliant' players, we now need ones who'll make the difference.

[Tee]

I would be happy if we signed Barry. England international who has been excellent this season and would improve us IMO.

Downing is distinctly average IMO and I will be stunned if we try and sign him. Also, Riera will be much improved next season IMO having had this first seasons experience.

David Silva on the other hand is the level of player we should be looking at. Another established international who would improve us.

[Craig_H]

Hopefully this season will help Riera, but he did play for City before, so he's tasted the PL in the past too.

[red g]

Barry i can understand, but there's no value in signing Downing IMO. Even if Boro go down, i cant see him being sold for less than £10m and we really dont need him. If Babel goes, we might need a new left winger but Downing isnt anything great. We've had our fill of expensive 'ok but not brilliant' players, we now need ones who'll make the difference.

[Exiled_red]

The team is at a point were we are close to where we want to be, we don't need to overhaul the squad we just need to add a little more attacking flair from top quality players. Neither Barry or Downing are much of an improvement (if any) on what we have, and I imagine would make a significant dent in our budget (~£20m for the two). I'd rather spend that money on one player who would make a genuine difference

[dww]

Barry i can understand, but there's no value in signing Downing IMO. Even if Boro go down, i cant see him being sold for less than £10m and we really dont need him. If Babel goes, we might need a new left winger but Downing isnt anything great. We've had our fill of expensive 'ok but not brilliant' players, we now need ones who'll make the difference.

Has Babel played enough to require a one for one replacement?
In terms of Downing I think he could given time become a productive Kuyt like player. I don't think that is what we need right now (so I would spend the money elsewhere) but I do think he could offer something in the future.

Hopefully this season will help Riera, but he did play for City before, so he's tasted the PL in the past too.

Benayoun had too but he took a season and a half to really understand what was needed at a top PL team.

[Pacman]

Personally I think Barry is a great player.

[dww]

Personally I think Barry is a great player.

In all likelihood the thread will probably now turn into a what constitutes a 'great player' thread but FWIW I think that he is one of the most effective CMs in the division, certainly outside the top four clubs and would add things to our team/squad that we do not have.