Aston Villa

Liverpool Miss Out On Gareth Barry Again

Will Liverpool ever give up in their pursuit of Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry? It looks as though they may have to - at least for now.

Nov 30, 2008 4:52:11 PM

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Gareth Barry - Aston Villa (PA)

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Gareth Barry

Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry was unsuccessfully pursued three times by fellow Premier League side Liverpool during the summer transfer window. The Reds now look to have lost out a fourth time after the 27-year-old stated his intentions to remain with the Birmingham based club for the rest of the season.

Previously the Liverpool board failed to agree to Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez's £18 million valuation of Barry, but the midfielder was eager to accept any offer that was forthcoming. Now the tables appear to have turned.

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill believes the news that Barry is staying will give the whole club a boost, and more determination to break into the top four.

Speaking to the Aston Villa official website O'Neill said, "This news will lift me, the players and hopefully, the player himself. It increases our determination to keep going and shows we are pushing in the right direction.

"This is what Gareth wants to do. It is very, very pleasing and I am delighted. We will sit down again in the summer, have a chat and see what progress we are making.

"He has given the football club fantastic service and wants to put the trauma of the summer behind him. His game is top-notch at the moment and he is playing very well.

"He wants to leave all the speculation behind him and get on with his game."

-- Nick Turner, Goal.com