Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard reveals he told Rafa Benitez not to sign Gareth Barry as Xabi Alonso’s replacement
LIVERPOOL legend Steven Gerrard has revealed he talked former boss Rafa Benitez out of signing Gareth Barry.
The Reds were on the look-out for a new midfielder after Xabi Alonso left Anfield for Real Madrid back in 2009.
Barry, who is set to become the Premier League's leading appearance maker when he lines-up for West Brom against Arsenal on Monday, was Benitez's No1 target to replace the Spaniard.
But then-club captain Stevie G did not think that the ex-England international, who was then playing for Aston Villa was the right man to fill Alonso's boots.
And he made no secret of his thoughts when speaking to Benitez.
Gerrard told BT Sport: “He wanted to move Xabi on and bring in Gareth.
"Now, for me that wasn’t the right move, although I’m a big fan of Gareth Barry.
“I’d rather have him in to play alongside Xabi because I think they could have worked together.
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“I don’t think it was the right move from a Liverpool point of view to replace Xabi with Gareth.
“The fans love Xabi, he’s a world-class player, and for me, Rafa should have been doing everything to keep him and not have him move on.”
Liverpool instead opted to sign Alberto Aquilani, who only managed to make 18 top-flight appearances for the Reds.
Manchester City were the ones who took the plunge on Barry.
And he rewarded them by helping them to win the Premier League and FA Cup during his time at the Etihad before moving onto Everton and then the Baggies this summer.
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