In order to capture Gareth Barry's signature, Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has had to be at his most ruthless.

Xabi Alonso will have to be sold to recoup the money spent on his replacement. It seems Alonso does not want to go but this is more to do with the fact that no high-profile club has valued him as highly as Liverpool’s price tag than a desire by the player to stay and fight for his place.

Perhaps these clubs are relishing what many Liverpool supporters have known for a while now; that Alonso is simply overrated. In my opinion he has not produced the goods for a season or two now, and when he does play Liverpool are not a better team.

'Benitez’s business dealings this summer may be a viewed as a masterstroke in years to come'


I wonder if those fans who still rate him really see him as an integral part of the Liverpool team that will finally bring the league title back to Merseyside?

Benitez will not relish selling his Spanish compatriot, after all it was Benitez who convinced Alonso to join his Liverpool revolution right from the start and now, for the good of the team, he is ready to show him the door.

Steven Gerrard and Barry may be great mates off the field and there is little doubt that their friendship played a part in Barry holding out for a chance to join Liverpool.

But his arrival at Anfield could mean that Gerrard will have to return to the right side of midfield, a move he may not be too happy about after getting a taste of his preferred role playing behind Fernando Torres in the centre.

It would be one of the most talented midfields in the world if Rafa opted for Ryan Babel on the left, Barry and Mascherano in the centre and Gerrard on the right.

Rafa may opt for this in a lot of the big games but I don’t think that Gerrard will be saying goodbye to central midfield for good.

Benitez’s business dealings this summer may be a viewed as a masterstroke in years to come. In signing Robbie Keane and Barry, he has not just signed a striker and a central midfielder. He has bought himself a huge number of options to shuffle his playing pack around.

Keane will normally play behind Torres, but when the Spanish striker is rested, Keane can play up front with Gerrard behind him or Keane on the right when Gerrard is needed elsewhere.

Barry will play mainly in central midfield but he can easily fill in on the left where Gerrard has had to do on a number of occasions, although it has to be said that the skipper’s talents are wasted out there.

Benitez has always had plenty of options for his rotation policy, but the difference now is that he can swap top quality players for top quality players. And, injuries permitting, he will be able to field the strongest starting XI that Liverpool Football Club have had in many years.

All the top teams will be strengthening this summer and of the current top four Liverpool have the most ground to make up.

But when Barry finally signs, Benitez will have all his summer wishes granted. I believe he will have taken Liverpool a huge step forward and maybe, just maybe, he might succeed in ending the title drought on Merseyside.