"It's the closest football will get to reality TV"

Last updated : 30 August 2008 By Tom Vickers
There must be some jokers on the board that decides the fixture list.
The same group of people who once somehow miraculously put the top four together on the same weekend, have scheduled the Gareth Barry against Liverpool clash for a day before this summer's transfer window closes.
It's a win-win situation for the boys at Sky. Barry now has the chance to prove what Liverpool are missing and not many true English football fans will want to miss this one.
It's the closest football will get to reality TV, no clues for guessing who the player cam will be on.
Ever since I've been watching football, I can't remember the build up to a Liverpool v Villa game having so much needle to it.
As a Kopite from the Midlands, it has always been a game that has stood out for me personally.
And thanks to the events of this summer it will be a game that stands out for fans at Anfield and Villa Park for years to come. It will never get close to a Merseyside derby or a date with the Mancs, but the views of both camps on your number six have certainly spiced this fixture up.
If we had signed Barry, then it would have given us the strength in depth we need for a good title push, but for me, keeping Xabi Alonso is the most crucial point to come out of this of this saga.
There's no doubting Barry's class but at this moment we could do with an Ashley Young type of player instead. Don't worry Mr Lerner, we wont be pursuing this interest.
Trying to put the Barry situation aside for a moment we might actually get a good game of football on Sunday.
Our displays so far this season have been dogged more than spectacular, so this weekend is a chance for us to put in a big performance. It's nice winning ugly but a polished performance at Villa Park would be welcome so early on in the season.
I heard Martin Laursen say that he was worried by how many goals you were conceding after the defeat to Stoke, so it will be interesting to see how you defend.
Torres, to me, looks a little short of sharpness, but can still produce a moment to win a game as we saw at Sunderland and will hopefully give Laursen and Co trouble.
On the flip side of the coin, Agbonlahor has shown he has that same spark to win a game and we'll be hoping he has a quiet day come Sunday.
Whether we like it or not, the game is going to be all about Gareth Barry but hopefully we'll see some good football played. We might be missing Gerrard, but having Mascherano back is a bonus for us.
I think 2-0 Liverpool!