Gareth Barry Or Xabi Alonso: Who Is The Man For Liverpool?

It has been the longest saga of the summer: Gareth Barry to Liverpool—will he or won't he? And it has been widely accepted that if Barry was to come, then Xabi Alonso would be on his way out of Liverpool to make room.

Why Alonso? Well, Steven Gerrard is going nowhere, Javier Mascherano is the best defensive midfielder in the league and Lucas Leiva has the potential to be very special indeed. Add to this the fact that Alonso has been struggling for form the last two seasons and he seems the most likely candidate to find himself moving clubs.

But despite Gareth Barry being a fantastic player, who would improve Liverpool, if him coming meant Alonso going, then I'm not sure I want Barry to come.

I started thinking of this straight after Xabi Alonso came inches away from scoring from 60 yards out, with the keeper in goal, at the weekend. The goal would've topped his goal at Luton, his goal at Newcastle and even David Beckham's 50-yard strike at Wimbledon.

Could Barry provide those moments of magic? Well, quite simply, no he couldn't. Yes, he may prefer to pass it short and keep the ball, but I would prefer someone who, now and again, tried something spectacular.

Out of the two, Alonso is the best at that. When he is on song, Alonso can ping balls 70-yards to their intended destination, and can give a short pass and keep possession. On his day he is one of the best passers in the world. He can also get forward and has a wonderful shot on him.

And even when he isn't having the best game, he is always a threat because he is so creative.

Barry, on the other hand, is more consistent. Game after game for Aston Villa he has given 100 percent and put in good performances for years now. He is good on the left, in the middle, in defence, and in attack and is the captain of what is becoming a very like-able Aston Villa team.

When both players are on their best form, Alonso is the better player. However, he has often struggled to reach his best form recently.

Overall, I would like to see Barry at Anfield. But if it becomes a case of Barry in then Alonso out, the sorry Gareth, you can spend another season at Villa Park.

We can just get him for free next season at the end of his contract anyway.