Barry saga continues Liverpol roster shakeups

After Martin O'Neil's statement today that the Garreth Barry trade to Liverpool was back on and it was now only up to Liverpool meeting their valuation of Barry before the actual trade deadline closes at the end of the month for it to go through.

I think this forces Liverpool to go on the offensive, sell some players and bring him in before the end of the week in order for him to be ready by the end on preseason. I think something will actually happen pretty quickly, by Wednesday at the latest so they can get him a couple of friendlies before the season starts.

In my opinion, the only question is who will go. Will Liverpool work to move Xabi Alonso to get most of the money they need in one swoop or will they peice it together with sales of players such as Pennant, Voronin, and Finnan along with another player or two we haven't heard talks about yet. Or, could we get rid of multiple players such as Alonso, Voronin, and Pennant.

I think that it is time to get rid of Pennant(who can't cross the ball or steadily make it through an entire game) and Voronin(who was given many chances at the beginning of the season last year and could never show the quality that brought him to Liverpool). Sales of Alonso and Finnan could help to solidify what the teams will look like at the beginning of the year, but at this point it is all up in the air.

Until the sale goes through and we find out who will be leaving it is hard to figure out how the team will shake out, but I will to my best with what I have.

GOALKEEPER:

1. Reina
2. Cavalieri

This is by far the easiest position to figure out. Reina will start most EPL games and important Champion's League games while Cavalieri will get most of his appearances in the FA Cup and Carling Cup along with throw away EPL and CL games.

CENTERBACKS:
1. Carragher
2. Skyrtle
3. Agger
4. Hyypia

Carragher is a lock in the middle as one of the most talented fullbacks in the game. 2nd and 3rd could vary during the year, but Skyrtle has looked so well there that it will be difficult for Agger to reclaim his position in the middle. This could lead to Agger getting some time at right back this season if needed. Hyypia will play in similar situations to Cavalieri and when the other centerbacks need a break. He should get far less playing time this season if injuries stay away.

RIGHTBACK:
1. Arbeloa
2. Finnan
3. Degen
4. Agger

This position seems to be Arbeloa's to lock down even though I think that Rafa highly overrates him and I was hoping that he would be leaving before Rafa put his foot down about not letting him leave. Finnan was really good a few years ago, but after being out most of last season, can he come back to full force to challenge for the position and will he even be at the squad when the season starts. Degen is out for the beginning of the season and may even have to have surgery on his groin again after missing most of last season with an injury. Depending on whether or not we end up getting rid of Finnan or a slight chance we lose Arbeloa, we could see Agger or Carragher coming over for coverage on the right. If we can't get much for Finnan, I say let him stay, we need the coverage and I never want to see Carragher out there again.

LEFTBACK:
1. Aurelio
2. Dossena
3. Insua

This is a position where we will probably see allot of rotating as we did last season. However, if we get rid of Finnan, we could see if any of these players have the ability to play the right as well. Aurelio would have to be the favorite to win the starting position after a couple of decent stretches out there last season. However, Dossena has impressed in the preseason and could see quality time there as well. If one make the move to the right or gets injured, don't be surprised to see more of Insua over there this season. He is a strong player looking for a chance for time.

DEFENSIVE / CENTRAL MIDFIELD:
1. Mascherano
2. Barry
3. Alonso
4. Lucas
5. Plessis

Mascherano is automatic at DMF in a game of any importance. You can't figure we're going to shell out the money for Barry not to play him so, if he comes we will probably see him playing allot in central midfield or maybe even on the right. Alonso will probably go if they really want Barry to come in. They serve most of the same purpose and would really clog up the team sheet. If they are both here at the start of the season, expect an insane amount of rotation this season and a different formation look each game. If Alonso stays and Barry comes he will probably see allot less playing time this season. This would also be terrible for Lusas who managed to get some decent playing time at the end of last season. If only one stays, he could see some more time this year, but if they both are there, he will see very little time this season. Plessis is on the same wait and see. He will probably get some of the Cavalieri games, but if Alonso and Barry are in the squad even this will be difficult to find.

ATTACKING MIDFIELD
1. Gerrard
2. Barry
3. Keane
4. Lucas

This is Gerrard's position. Barry could play here when Gerrard takes a break as could Keane with his versatility. This is the position that Lucas will probably take over in the Cavalieri games.

RIGHT MIDFIELD
1. Kuyt
2. Barry
3. Pennant
4. Benayoun
5. Keane

This was Kuyt's position last year, but a Barry pickup or combination with Alonso staying could prove devastating for Kuyt. If Rafa decides to keep Alonso and bring in Barry look for a possible surprising Kuyt move unless Rafa decides to switch things this year and go without a real LMF that he always used last season. I think Pennant is all but gone and none to soon, he would get almost no time again this season. Benayoun will be the logical second choice to Kuyt in this situation unless Barry is used there instead. Keane is a final option as he looks to possibly be moved around allot this season as I would be surprised if we mainly play 4-4-2.

LEFT MIDFIELD
1. Babel
2. Benayoun

I could seriously see us switching up this year to drop the LMF at least as much if not more than the RMF after Kuyt provided so much last season and Babel not nearly as much. We could see more of Benayoun over hear as well with his strong preseason. Personally, I would like to see them start Benayoun and bring in Babel for pace in the second half.

STRIKERS:
1. Torres
2. Keane
3. Ngog
4. Kuyt
5. Nemeth
6. Voronin
7. Babel

This has to be our deepest position. We have a solid midfield as well, but we have so many strikers that two played the wings last year because we had nowhere for them to go. This year we will see more 2 striker formations with Torres and Keane both top quality players, although Keane will probably get his fair share of Midfield work as well, possibly in the Kuyt role from last season. Depending on the popular formations, you could see Kuyt or Babel move back to more striker like positions, but if Ngog continue to prove his value they will have a hard time surpassing him for the #3 striking position. After being so bereft of LMF and RMF talent for the past few seasons, we could actually be looking to offload it with Pennant and Benayoun strong possibilities and Kuyt and Babel could be surprise sales to raise funds for Barry if needed.

Strongest Lineup:
GK - Reina
LCB - Carragher
RCB - Skyrtle
RB - Finnan
LB - Dossena
DMF - Mascherano
CMF - Alonso/Barry
AMF - Gerrard
LFM - Benayoun
SS - Keane
S - Torres

Probable Starting Lineup:
GK - Reina
LCB - Carragher
RCB - Skyrtle
RB - Arbeloa
LB - Aurelio
DMF - Masherano
CMF - Barry/Alonso
AMF - Gerrard
LMF - Babel
SS - Keane
S - Torres

Either way, we seem to have increased our depth at most positions and turn over some dead weight in the off season. We alos have some truely talented youngsters that could make a play for time this season and others that can't even hope for that with the depth of the team at this point. I think that to bring in Barry and keep Alonso is a bad move and if so, I think he will still be gone by next window to gain money for another back if we have injuries or at the end of the season at the latest to fund next year's incoming crop of players. I do believe that we need to get ride of 2-5 players still depending on whether or not we bring in Barry or any other signings before the window. At least Pennant and Voronin need to go and probably another midfielder or two or three as well.

I'll post again on this situation next week when we know more about what the roster will look like this season. Liverpool has two Friendlies remaining on Tuesday and Friday before full play starts on the 12th or 13th against Standard Leige in 3rd Round Champions League Qualifying followed by their EPL premier against Sunderland on that weekend.