Kenny Dalglish would have been forgiven for having an envious glance at Manchester City’s team-sheet.
Of course, any manager in the world would like to be able to name a side which includes the power of Yaya Toure, the invention of David Silva and the finishing of Sergio Aguero.
But his gaze might have settled on a less glamorous name, that of Gareth Barry - City’s hard-working brickie to the painters and decorators like Silva and Aguero.
Had things been different, Barry might have lined up against City on Tuesday night.
In the summer of 2008, Barry decided it was time to leave Aston Villa.
He had spent 12 years at Villa Park, amassing more than 400 appearances, and decided the time was right for a new challenge.
Liverpool batted their eyelids and Barry was hooked.
“My mind’s made up,” he said. “I want to join Liverpool. I’m desperate to play Champions League football and that’s why I have to leave Villa.
“There’s no going back, it’s time for me to move on.”
But Liverpool failed to meet Martin O’Neill’s £18million asking price and Barry was forced to spend an uncomfortable 12 months in the Midlands before City came calling.
Liverpool’s loss is City’s gain.
Anyone following Mancini’s rotation policy during the pre-season trips to America and Ireland might have concluded that Barry was the odd man out.
He was left on the bench for the Blues final warm-up game against Inter Milan in the Dublin Cup and again for the Community Shield defeat to United.
It had looked like Barry would be left to fight for the third midfield berth with Yaya Toure and Nigel de Jong assured of their places.
Questions were raised about his place in the England team. How times have changed.
Six months on, and De Jong, so influential in City’s qualification for the Champions League and their run in the FA Cup last season, can’t get a game and Barry is the man expected to fill the void left when Toure jets off to the Africa Cup of Nations.
Even Toure, who has played alongside Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Messi at Barcelona, has given his seal of approval.
“City will cope,” said Toure, after admitting his guilt at leaving his team mates at such a crucial stage of the season.
“But we have fantastic players who take my place, such as Gareth Barry.”
De Jong will get an early audition to prove he can fill the role next to Barry when Toure leaves for Gabon and Equatorial Guinea with United arriving at the Etihad Stadium in the FA Cup on Sunday.
Barry’s dismissal during City’s convincing win over Liverpool means the 30-year-old is ruled out of the derby.
Mancini has called on De Jong and the fit-again Owen Hargreaves to fill Toure’s boots with the midfielder set to miss three weeks of the season if the Ivory Coast live up to their billing as tournament favourites and reach the final on February 12.
But whatever Mancini decides to do to compensate for the loss of a man who has started every Premier League game this season, one name will be straight back on the team-sheet.
Artists like Silva, Aguero and Balotelli, they will switch places from game to game.
The industrious Barry will – when available – keep allowing his team-mates to express themselves and, in turn, provide the platform on which to win the Premier League title.
Who is City's most important midfielder? Have your say.
Comment: Gareth Barry grit provides platform for glamour boys
January 04, 2012
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He was silly last night.
I don't think any foul he committed deserved a yellow card but the number of times he made silly fouls obviously totted up in the ref's head.
If that was the case then Skrtel should've gone too and Adams.
Barry has been tremendous for us so far this season. Yesterday he was not at his best though, and a few soft fouls cost him. We'll cope and Barry can enjoy his fully deserved rest to be back for another Liverpool-encounter.
To suggest Barry's two yellow cards last night were harsh is a massive understatement, it seems the match officials are looking out for anything to dish out cards to our players - WHY?
its good to see Barry getting some recognition for his part this season. He has without doubt upped his game this season, and without his disrution of the oppositions attacks, we wouldnt be in the position to let the attacking players defend higher up the pitch. He has improved his technique and passing, well done Gareth!
Big fan of Barry, however, would like to point out that had he played to the Whistle at Sunderland - rather than look across for an offside flag that never came - he may well have cleared off the line and we'd now be 4 points clear........
That aside, COME ON THE TOON
Contentious this I know, but Barry is currently my player of season so far. Whilst Silva and Aguero rightly get the plaudits, Barry has been Mr consistency. I just wish fellow blues recognise his passing ability, very rarely gives the ball away, and is usually the starting point of all our attacks. Just watch the ground he covers and passing range, this is often forgotten because he does not have pace of a sprinter. If he is good enough for Mancini, then he is good enough for me. Enjoying the season no matter who plays or takes the plaudits
Not only having his best season for the mighty blues but is also a top bloke as well. I met him whilst watching one of my boys play football a few months back and he had no problem speaking with both myself and my son and in fact was more concerned about mucking up the managers half time team talk than anything else. Had his photo taken with my lad and the whole team as well.
A credit to the club and a really nice fella. Note: My lad bagged a hat rick so a good day all round.
Hard to believe that we are top of the league, breaking scoring records all over the place and playing some of the most entertaining football played in the prem for years yet, if you look at our disciplinary record you would think we were fielding Joe Hart and 10 Vinny Jones's! Why are we getting such a rough deal from the officials?
A bit of the subject concerning tomorrow
Manchester Evening News sports editor Peter Spencer will be online at 12 noon on Thursday to discuss all the latest hot topics.
The web chat will take place within our rolling sports blog. Feel free to submit your questions in advance by clicking on the box below.
what is the point of this you do nothing about the BIAS reporting by the MuEN on behalf of there favourite son Trafford United and if you say anything and push for an answer you are removed from the forum!
And you release a comment saying there is no BIAS and we don’t want it discussed
CTID
Well played Gareth, shame you miss the United game but you thoroughly deserve a rest - great season season - always underrated in my opinion.
CTID.
i've seen some ruff tackles on city players from the get go "kevin davis on kolarov" with no real protection ever since.
watching the officials during city games i have kind of noticed how quick and eager they are to dish out yellow cards lately not only that, even glaringly obvious decisions in our favour are not given.
gary neville was bewildered on sky regards the chelsea away game silver penalty decision not being given.
those encounters that barry had during tuesday nights game should not of led to him being sent but once again the ref was quick of the mark to get his cards out rather than dishing some very harsh words.
some of the things skrtel committed right in full view of the ref and nothing.
city have big powerful players and show their presences on the field of play but i havent seen anything nasty.
some posts on here comment on trying to stop city winning the prem by march or to slow us down, maybe its just another tool to use to take some of the shine off the occasion if do win the prem in having the worst disciplinary record.
the players know all this and take great care, they play great football everyone knows this and im loving it.
Players of every club, worldwide, have brought it upon themselfes, touch them and they fall down! Who would want to be a Ref'? Even the T.V pundits say"it could have gone either way"and thats after looking at replays half a dozen times!
A player standing in front of the goalkeeper just for the sake of stopping him from going for the ball, is obstruction! Same as a player shepherding the ball over the dead ball line without trying to play the ball, it's obstruction! and so on and so on , Don't blame the Ref'"
It's corparate money that makes the rules!? T.V or not T.V. that is the question?
Respect..............don't make me laarf..!