Barry will be next signing, says Benitez
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez will redouble his efforts to sign Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry after welcoming his other principal target, Tottenham striker Robbie Keane, to Anfield yesterday.
Benitez was forced to sell fringe players Peter Crouch, John Arne Riise and Scott Carson to fund the £20.3m deal for Keane, and admitted further sales would be needed to raise money for £18m-rated Barry.
“We knew that we could only spend money by selling players and we have been doing this (for Keane),” said the Spanish coach. “We are still trying to sign the players that we need, and if we need to sell someone now, okay, we will do so. If we can do it (the Barry deal) before the end of the transfer window, we will continue to try. We will always continue to improve our squad.”
Villa boss Martin O’Neill warned last week that time was running out for Liverpool to match their asking price for England midfielder Barry.
The 27-year-old has made public his desire to join Liverpool, and faces an embarrassing climbdown if no fee can be agreed between the two sides.
Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso is a prime candidate to be sacrificed for Barry, but Juventus have dropped their interest after balking at the £15m price tag. Winger Jermaine Pennant, striker Andriy Voronin and full-back Steve Finnan are also potential departures but Benitez wants to keep defender Alvaro Arbeloa.
Keane, meanwhile, has been handed the No7 shirt made famous by Kevin Keegan, Kenny Dalglish and Peter Beardsley, and spoke of winning the league title that has eluded Liverpool since any of that trio last wore the jersey.
“I don’t really remember that last title win (in 1990),” said the 28-yearold. “I was too young but now I hope I can be part of the team that finally wins the league again.
“Now I have fulfilled my own dream of joining the club, I believe we can seriously challenge for the title. This club has stature, great players and tradition. There is no reason we cannot finally win the title again.”