Obviously I don't want Alonso to leave. However if we get offered £21 million for him and can replace him with Barry for £8 million as is being reported, I would be tempted. I'm not saying Barry is better than Alonso, however I don't think there is £13 million differential between their talents and anything over a £10 million difference in price would make me interested. That's £10 million to go towards another striker or a wide player. If it was purely for playing skills etc, I wouldn't get rid of him, ever. We have to look at the fact that the owners aren't willing to go overboard with available funds and if we can produce some of our own for swapping one player for antoher who is only slightly less talented then it could be worth it.

Spot on in my opinion.

Alonso's had a brilliant season, but as you say, there isn't £13million between the two players.

Who brought Barton into it? Everybody knows that he's a c*nt.

If Carragher wasn't scouse, you wouldn't even be defending him. That reminds me actually, where is Barton from again?

i'd be suprised if those two figures quoted where true, however, even with those two figures I still wouldn't be tempted to sell Alonso and replace him with Barry, big backward step for Liverpool (so i say go for it )

So why did a lad from near Wigan decide to support a rugby league team from Merseyside? Hmmm.....

Fate decided for me in 91

But that's not going to happen though, is it? No-one is going to pay £21 million for Alonso and I can't see Villa dropping their price for Barry by about £7million (Keith can confirm the precise amounts).

More realistic is keeping Alonso and just buying Barry as well. However if I was Benitez I'd probably sign another striker ahead of Barry.*

*I'd also shave my goatee off and stop talking crap as well if I was Benitez.

rumour going round it's felt tip pen

I don't know mate. If City and Madrid are the bidders then I can see it going up to that figure. I've no idea on Barry, I'm using papertalk to be honest. However, if it's £10 million difference, like I said, I'd be interested.

Didn't mean to put my reply in two parts, but didn't read this bit initially.

I agree. His beard is sh[size.[/sizeit. Oh, I also agree about not bothering with a midfielder. I would prefer to stick with the same centre midfield we have now and sign other wingers and a striker but if money needs to be raised, I'd let Alonso go so long as we get a ripper of a deal.

I suppose city might be that stupid - I'll give you this, if Bellamy is worth £14 million then Alonso is worth £21 million. I can't see Madrid stumping that amount of cash.

Alonso is an excellent player and better than Barry. I understand what you mean about the 'additional' 10 million but unless someone bonkers does offer that, I'd keep him and sack Barry off.

you can take madrid out of that equation. not a peep coming out of the club about alonso. compare that to last year when his name was in the papers every day.

I see where you are coming from and Hull's second half season performance put them probably in their true position, however, it's a one off game that they know they have to give everything for and could also give them another season in the prem. It is in their own hands now.