Gaz Baz

[Neil Young]

We complain about fringe players going to the likes of Chelsea to sit on the bench - then when Barry supposedly opts to play he's the devil.

Besides, I agree with the general outbreak of sensibleness in the last few posts.

[Reece]

We complain about fringe players going to the likes of Chelsea to sit on the bench - then when Barry supposedly opts to play he's the devil.

Well yeah that's the other thing. If he came to us, would he be guaranteed first team football? I'd suggest not if Alonso was still here. It's a World Cup year as well, so what is wrong after 11 years at one club, him doing something for himself? People think that because it's football that players should make decisions differently than we do in "real life", and whilst it is sometimes the case that they do - I know if I was offered a more than double my money offer to go for a new job, chances are I'd snap it up regardless of how long I've been at my current one.

[Roboklopp]

I'd suggest that him not seeing himself as 1st choice here indicates 1 of 2 things-

1) we arent selling Xabi.
2) we are changing formation & dropping the 2 holding CMs.

[zimbo]

Yes. I know.

We complain about fringe players going to the likes of Chelsea to sit on the bench - then when Barry supposedly opts to play he's the devil.

Besides, I agree with the general outbreak of sensibleness in the last few posts.

Cheers, it was nothing.

[MrMichael]

That makes sense aye, but pitchforks and lanterns are much more fun.

lol, thing is, its so true, this is the internet, BUUUUURN HIM!!!!



If we were all as sensible as Reece things would be very boring.

Oh, ok, maybe not Reece, what am I saying?.... Dww? Oh, hang on, no, not him anymore

****, who's the sensible one now?

[Reece]

lol, thing is, its so true, this is the internet, BUUUUURN HIM!!!!

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v-acO_kk7YU/SYjD-M-HFhI/AAAAAAAAALQ/n9M5PHHX0tE/s400/monty_python_witch-701441.jpg

If we were all as sensible as Reece things would be very boring.

Oh, ok, maybe not Reece, what am I saying?.... Dww? Oh, hang on, no, not him anymore

****, who's the sensible one now?

To be fair I think my football views are generally sensible. Other subjects, not so much

[MrMichael]

We complain about fringe players going to the likes of Chelsea to sit on the bench - then when Barry supposedly opts to play he's the devil.

Only problem is, Citeh's team next season will probably look something like this...

-------------------------- Barry--------------------------

SWP-Ribery-Tevez-Robinho-Henry-Eto'o-Villa-Pele-Cruyft-Puskas

(ok, so I ran out of inspiration half way though but you get the idea)

I'd suggest that him not seeing himself as 1st choice here indicates 1 of 2 things-

1) we arent selling Xabi.
2) we are changing formation & dropping the 2 holding CMs.

I reckon it could be both of those. Rafa's not selling Xabi if Xabi wants to stay, I think that's quite clear, his quotes have been quite unequivocal, and Rafa doesn't really play games with that sort of thing.

IF we sign a player who can play off Torres as well as on one side or the other, someone like Silva or Lavezzi say, then I can see Gerrard playing deeper in some games alongside either Mascher or Xabi. Against "weaker" opposition, especially at Anfield, the sort of games we've struggled in last season, this could work really well. That would allow us to keep the same sort of system yet change the way we play because of the natural style of the players on the pitch. Far preferable to having to do what we did with Keane, which was actually change the formation and personnel, to the detrimental effect of everything.

[Neil Young]

Only problem is, Citeh's team next season will probably look something like this...

-------------------------- Barry--------------------------

SWP-Ribery-Tevez-Robinho-Henry-Eto'o-Villa-Pele-Cruyft-Puskas

(ok, so I ran out of inspiration half way though but you get the idea)

You forgot Wellard.

I reckon it could be both of those. Rafa's not selling Xabi if Xabi wants to stay, I think that's quite clear, his quotes have been quite unequivocal, and Rafa doesn't really play games with that sort of thing.

IF we sign a player who can play off Torres as well as on one side or the other, someone like Silva or Lavezzi say, then I can see Gerrard playing deeper in some games alongside either Mascher or Xabi. Against "weaker" opposition, especially at Anfield, the sort of games we've struggled in last season, this could work really well. That would allow us to keep the same sort of system yet change the way we play because of the natural style of the players on the pitch. Far preferable to having to do what we did with Keane, which was actually change the formation and personnel, to the detrimental effect of everything.

[MrMichael]

You forgot Wellard.

ooopps, well get that Puskas fella out of there, he was **** anyway

[dww]

I reckon it could be both of those. Rafa's not selling Xabi if Xabi wants to stay, I think that's quite clear, his quotes have been quite unequivocal, and Rafa doesn't really play games with that sort of thing.

IF we sign a player who can play off Torres as well as on one side or the other, someone like Silva or Lavezzi say, then I can see Gerrard playing deeper in some games alongside either Mascher or Xabi. Against "weaker" opposition, especially at Anfield, the sort of games we've struggled in last season, this could work really well. That would allow us to keep the same sort of system yet change the way we play because of the natural style of the players on the pitch. Far preferable to having to do what we did with Keane, which was actually change the formation and personnel, to the detrimental effect of everything.

I can see that argument but in the past Gerrard playing there has not gone as well as might have been hoped. The thing is that the change in formation required to accomodate Keane wasn't so different from this plan any way. I guess it could be blamed on the fact that Keane wasn't intelligent enough to avoid getting in the way of Gerrard and Torres. However if Rafa had though this was really a viable option you would have thought he would have used it with some combination of Babel, Riera, Kuyt and Benayoun off Torres with Gerrard deeper later in the season.

[dww]

Liverpool FC fail to nab Gareth Barry

Jun 3 2009 by James Pearce, Liverpool Echo

RAFA BENITEZ will have to go back to the drawing board on his summer transfer targets after missing out on Gareth Barry.

Sources in the Midlands today suggested Liverpool failed in a last-ditch bid to sign the midfielder from Aston Villa yesterday.

The Reds are believed to have matched Manchester City’s £12million offer but by then the deal taking him to Eastlands had already been completed.

Barry, who only had 12 months on his current deal remaining, has signed a five-year contract at City worth £100,000 a week.

“I’m delighted to be joining City,” insisted the England midfielder.

“It didn’t take much persuasion from Mark Hughes, they are heading in the direction I want to go.

“There is great potential here and I’m sure there will be a few more additions to the squad this summer.”

The move ends a long-running transfer saga which began last summer when the 28-year-old demanded a move.

Barry revealed he wanted to make the switch to Anfield in order to fulfil his dream of playing in the Champions League.

Liverpool then had four bids for the England international turned down and a deal failed to materialise after the Reds refused to meet Villa’s £18m asking price.

Villa boss Martin O’Neill accused Benitez of unsettling his skipper and was known to be reluctant to do business with the Reds.

Barry has been aware of Liverpool’s ongoing interest but it is believed his desire to move to Merseyside cooled in recent weeks after Benitez told him he had been earmarked for the left-back or left midfield slots rather than his favoured central role.

Barry’s switch to City and Real Madrid’s world record £56million pursuit of Kaka increases the likelihood of Xabi Alonso remaining at Anfield this summer.

Alonso came close to leaving a year ago as the Reds looked to raise sufficient cash to buy Barry but Benitez has insisted that the Spanish midfielder is not for sale.

Meanwhile, Yossi Benayoun insists he is happy at Liverpool and not even the lure of Real Madrid could convince him to leave Anfield.

The Israeli midfielder has attracted interest from Manchester City, West Ham, Atletico Madrid and Villarreal.

He said: “This has been the best season of my career. I have played a lot of games and scored some important goals, and I am very happy with that.

“At the moment, I am a Liverpool player, and unless something surprising happens, I will remain one.

“After such a good season, I have had some offers from England and Spain. You have to give that some consideration, so there will probably be some discussions with Liverpool.

“I have had a great two years at Anfield and enjoyed every minute. I have long since accepted that, with one or two notable exceptions, there is no such thing as an automatic choice at Liverpool.

“Unless you are Steven Gerrard, you are going to sit out one or two games, but that is no problem. Stevie is exceptional, and the rest of us accept that.

“The good thing is I have been playing more. To be honest, it could be Real Madrid knocking on my door, and I would still rather stay at Liverpool.”

[red g]

Liverpool FC fail to nab Gareth Barry

Jun 3 2009 by James Pearce, Liverpool Echo

RAFA BENITEZ will have to go back to the drawing board on his summer transfer targets after missing out on Gareth Barry.

Sources in the Midlands today suggested Liverpool failed in a last-ditch bid to sign the midfielder from Aston Villa yesterday.

The Reds are believed to have matched Manchester City’s £12million offer but by then the deal taking him to Eastlands had already been completed.

Barry, who only had 12 months on his current deal remaining, has signed a five-year contract at City worth £100,000 a week.

“I’m delighted to be joining City,” insisted the England midfielder.

“It didn’t take much persuasion from Mark Hughes, they are heading in the direction I want to go.

“There is great potential here and I’m sure there will be a few more additions to the squad this summer.”

The move ends a long-running transfer saga which began last summer when the 28-year-old demanded a move.

Barry revealed he wanted to make the switch to Anfield in order to fulfil his dream of playing in the Champions League.

Liverpool then had four bids for the England international turned down and a deal failed to materialise after the Reds refused to meet Villa’s £18m asking price.

Villa boss Martin O’Neill accused Benitez of unsettling his skipper and was known to be reluctant to do business with the Reds.

Barry has been aware of Liverpool’s ongoing interest but it is believed his desire to move to Merseyside cooled in recent weeks after Benitez told him he had been earmarked for the left-back or left midfield slots rather than his favoured central role.

Barry’s switch to City and Real Madrid’s world record £56million pursuit of Kaka increases the likelihood of Xabi Alonso remaining at Anfield this summer.

Alonso came close to leaving a year ago as the Reds looked to raise sufficient cash to buy Barry but Benitez has insisted that the Spanish midfielder is not for sale.

Meanwhile, Yossi Benayoun insists he is happy at Liverpool and not even the lure of Real Madrid could convince him to leave Anfield.

The Israeli midfielder has attracted interest from Manchester City, West Ham, Atletico Madrid and Villarreal.

He said: “This has been the best season of my career. I have played a lot of games and scored some important goals, and I am very happy with that.

“At the moment, I am a Liverpool player, and unless something surprising happens, I will remain one.

“After such a good season, I have had some offers from England and Spain. You have to give that some consideration, so there will probably be some discussions with Liverpool.

“I have had a great two years at Anfield and enjoyed every minute. I have long since accepted that, with one or two notable exceptions, there is no such thing as an automatic choice at Liverpool.

“Unless you are Steven Gerrard, you are going to sit out one or two games, but that is no problem. Stevie is exceptional, and the rest of us accept that.

“The good thing is I have been playing more. To be honest, it could be Real Madrid knocking on my door, and I would still rather stay at Liverpool.”

somehting doesnt sit right here, is it a complete lack of ambition from Barry? or the fact that he is chasing the money?

I cant believe that we failed with a last ditch attempt, unless Barry never wanted to move to us in the first place if he did surely he would have waited a little bit to ensure we come in and buy him? something is rotten in denmark for sure

[Reece]

somehting doesnt sit right here, is it a complete lack of ambition from Barry? or the fact that he is chasing the money?

I cant believe that we failed with a last ditch attempt, unless Barry never wanted to move to us in the first place if he did surely he would have waited a little bit to ensure we come in and buy him? something is rotten in denmark for sure

Why not? We had our valuation of him last season and wouldn't pay more than that, so surely the same would apply now? I.E. We (Rafa) values him at £8m bearing in mind he has 1 year left on his contract, and thus wouldn't offer more than that. If that is then rejected we walk away.

[MrMichael]

Don't believe that for a minute either mate. If Barry actually had any real desire to join us over any random club that comes in his agent would most certainly have been in touch with us to find out if a bid from us might be forthcoming. No way we'd "just be too late", that's media nonsense, unless Barry really just didn't want to join us over someone else, in which case he doesn't fit Rafa's criteria anyway.

[red g]

Why not? We had our valuation of him last season and wouldn't pay more than that, so surely the same would apply now? I.E. We (Rafa) values him at £8m bearing in mind he has 1 year left on his contract, and thus wouldn't offer more than that. If that is then rejected we walk away.

The Reds are believed to have matched Manchester City’s £12million offer but by then the deal taking him to Eastlands had already been completed.

if we offered 8 and walked away i could understand that