If things had gone to plan for Benitez, Liverpool would have signed the versatile midfielder from Aston Villa at the end of the 2007-08 season and gone to win a long-awaited Premier League title a year later.
That deal fell through, however, and now England international Barry is a key figure at ambitious City, one of several clubs hoping to evict Liverpool from England’s top four. Failing to sign Barry was a huge blow for Benitez, although Liverpool’s superb title challenge last season which ended in narrow failure behind Manchester United, disguised the impact.
This season, however, five defeats in 12 league games have left Liverpool’s title aspirations in ruins and with Xavi Alonso sold in the off season, the Anfield club looks short on the kind of proven midfield quality Barry would offer.
While Liverpool has struggled badly this season, Manchester City’s impact on the Premier League has not quite been what their billionaire Abu Dhabi owners would have hoped for. Leader Chelsea hosts Wolverhampton Wanderers on today with a five-point lead over Arsenal and Manchester United.
United could be eight points behind Chelsea by the time it kicks off against Everton while Arsenal, which has problems at left back with Gael Clichy and Kieran Gibbs both injured, face a test of its dazzling form at Sunderland.
Live on Spormax-HD
Rubin Kazan-Zenit 13:00
Liverpool-Ma City 14:45
Chelsea-Wolverhampton 17:00
Man United-Everton 19:30
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