MERSEYSIDE FATE
Gareth Barry has come to Merseyside, but not to Liverpool as expected. He was heavily linked with a move to Liverpool back in 2008, but the move never materialised due to several reasons like the transfer fee.
He then subsequently moved to Manchester City where he enjoyed a few years in the sunshine. He even managed to win the Premier league title a few years ago. However, the arrival of Manuel Pellegrini has made him surplus to requirements. The South American manager decided to sign Fernandinho to play alongside Yaya Touré in the middle of the park.
In order to play regularly ahead of the World Cup 2014, Barry decided to move to Merseyside. However, he has joined the blue half of Merseyside on a season-long loan deal. He will be coming up against Liverpool on Saturday for the first time as an Everton player. He has stated that there cannot be any regrets about the failed to move to Liverpool since he has had a good career since then, and one Liverpool fanzine suggests he'll end up on the winning side this weekend.
"I remember watching that pre-season friendly and they made it obvious they weren't keen on me coming in to replace Alonso. He was a fantastic player and I can understand it. No one knows what that move could have done for me, whether it would have been good for me and Liverpool. But that's just down to Alonso being a fantastic player," said Barry, who was being lined up as a replacement for Xabi Alonso. The Spaniard then made a complete turnaround by deciding to stay at Anfield for one more year.
Rafa Benitez was the manager who tried to sign him when he was at Aston Villa. Benitez was sacked shortly afterwards, but a move could have changed his career even though Liverpool did not win anything major in the subsequent years.