Rafael Benitez explained controversial Gareth Barry and Xabi Alonso transfer stance

Former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez once wanted to replace Xabi Alonso with Gareth Barry as he favored the ex-England international for his versatility.

A year before his eventual departure for Real Madrid in 2009, the Spanish midfield maestro nearly left for Arsenal as the Reds looked to raise funds to re-invest in other areas. However, the Gunners were unable to match Liverpool's asking price for Alonso - meaning the Spanish maestro stayed put for a further year.

Having signed Real Sociedad during Benitez's first summer in the Anfield hotseat, the midfielder became a fan favorite after forming part of the famous 2005 Champions League-winning side. A year later, he also played his part as the Reds lifted the FA Cup in similarly dramatic circumstances.

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However, Alonso appeared to be surplus to requirements by 2008, with Aston Villa's Barry becoming a target as his potential replacement. Opening up on his thought process back in 2019, Benitez told The Athletic: "The Barry story is something that still people don’t understand.

"Barry had been playing for years at his maximum level and, at this time, he could play in three positions — midfielder, winger and left-back. We had Javier Mascherano, Lucas Leiva and [Steven] Gerrard with experience, and selling Alonso was a way to make some money and balance the team. Barry wasn’t to replace Alonso, he was to give us something different that we didn’t have at this time."

The decision to potentially replace his then-teammate with Barry was met with disapproval in the dressing room with former vice-captain Jamie Carragher recalling: "Most people found it strange that Rafa wanted Barry to come in and for us to sell Xabi as there was no comparison between the players.

"But Rafa felt Barry could give him more options in terms of positions. The strange thing was Barry told me and Stevie when we were away with England that he wouldn’t have signed for Liverpool if there was a chance he would play left-back."

Later, Benitez went on record to confirm some of the details over Alonso's collapsed move to Arsenal that summer, even claiming that he had an agreement with the Gunners. Speaking on an episode of "Stick to Football" this year, he recounted his version of events to a panel of pundits including Carragher.

"Xabi had an agreement with Arsenal and didn’t want to get cup tied. I told you [Carragher] and Gerrard before the game that he had an agreement and doesn’t want to play, but he must because it is the most important game to qualify for the Champions League.

Benitez added: "Then when you [Carragher] were going out for the warm-ups, you said, "Poor Xabi." Not poor Xabi, he is playing for our club at this time. During the season he was our best player and didn’t go to Arsenal because he had to play [for us]."