A lesson in utility: Would Aston Villa's Gareth Barry be wise to rotate to Liverpool?

Gareth Barry is, in today’s Premier League, a rare one-club man, having spent over a decade playing for Aston Villa.

Only a few Manchester United veterans and maybe Steve Harper can really compete for that type of loyalty. But as the top four slowly pull away from the chasing pack year by year, perhaps the lure of Champions League football may be enough for Barry to break his loyalty and accept a summer move to Anfield.

Widely regarded as one of the top midfielders in the league, and also becoming an international staple, Barry has made no secret of the fact that he wants to play in Europe. He has stuck by Villa year upon year with promises that with him at the heart of the side they can get there, but even a late charge this year looks likely to fall short. At 27, approaching the infamous ‘peak’ of a playing career, he may be wise to move on.

What better move, then, than to take up a midfield spot alongside close friend Steven Gerrard at Liverpool? Historic European nights and genuine title ambitions surely await. Villa teammate Patrick Berger has reportedly told Barry he would be foolish to decline such a fantastic opportunity, but Barry also needs to consider a few things before venturing north-west.

First and foremost, Rafa Benitez’s notorious rotation policy. Barry may want European football, but there’s every chance that he could be frozen out of those European nights, with Javier Mascherano and Xabi Alonso the more attractive and exciting options. Barry would then become the ‘league’ player, tightening up a side which has constantly faltered in games against the smaller sides. Liverpool fans crave a Premier League title, and Barry would be a fantastic signing towards that goal, but European football may continue to elude him.

With Gerrard often being shuffled around the park, there’s also every chance that Barry could be used as a left-midfielder, or even left-back. Benitez has made no secret of the fact he wants new full-backs, and with John Arne Riise popping up with own-goals and generally dwindling performance-wise, Barry would be a set replacement.

It would not surprise me to hear that Riise is one of the players involved in the suggested swap deal for Barry. Either way, Barry would have to consider whether he would be able to build a centre midfield partnership which potentially could be England’s first choice if he is being used as a utility man. Having said that, Owen Hargreaves’ superb performances at right-back for Manchester United recently have certainly done his international claims no harm.

Ultimately, Barry needs to decide whether he can adapt to being part of a larger squad, after spending so long as the first name on the Villa teamsheet. Any club with European ambitions need to rotate to an extent in order to compete on several fronts, and Liverpool are particularly ruthless.

But as Scott Parker and Steve Sidwell will profess, it sure isn’t any easier to get a game at Chelsea.