i would love him to stay, though his inability to stay healthy the past few seasons have hurt us a little. he won't be replaced, barry is just not that type of player, even if he is in the same class (still to be proven, in my opinion). i love the fact this transfer seems to be dragging ~ no one will ever convince me a YOUNGER xabi alonso is worth less than gareth barry ~ only martin o'neill and a few delusional other villains think that. if it's one or the other, it's a no-brainer ~ alonso has vastly superior technique. i agree whole heartedly about how we need wingers ~ babel should be moved to striker and we should bring in a silva, quaresma or downing to put a little teeth into the attack.

Good luck to Xavi if he does decide to leave, has been a great player for Liverpool but have found of late he gets caught in midfield, Barry will be an excellent addition to the side but still think we need class wingers brought in, think Babbel will become a carbon copy of Torres in the next couple of years and as another has already said think Nemeth will be a fabulous player in the first team when his time comes, but always excited to see who comes in for a new season, good luck on your signings Rafa

Lucas has been terrible everytime I've seen him play this season. I'd much rather he went than Alonso.

barry just doesn't have that world class touch and vision alonso has. whenever xabi is on the ball i just feel like he's gonna do something with it, or at least ensure that liverpool keep possession. maybe alonso lacks aggression for a defensive midfielder and barry is much more of a fighter, but lucas and mascherano both bring that quality as well as amazing passing ability. maybe benitez is thinking about playing barry on the left; the four central midfielders liverpool already have are above barry in my opinion. i doubt there would be any of this speculation if he wasn't english

Please may rafeal strentghen his defence and midfield to professional standard and then think of letting go of players.if he wants to win the title he must have class players in those position to attack after defending first.goals come from defending your goals first.His thoeries dont work fifty percent of the time.

Can you all imagine what Liverpool would have, if they KEPT Alonso?? Stevie G could then move upfront to partner El Nino.....Very Interesing......

I certainly hope Xaby stays, even if Rafa signs Barry.
That would most certainly be the best midfield in the World!