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Barry determined to join Reds after O'Neill snub

29/06/2008

Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry is determined to join Liverpool after not having had any contact with manager Martin O'Neill since the end of the season.

Barry has been linked with a potential move to the Reds all summer but Villa have always claimed they are desperate to hold on to their club captain.

O'Neill revealed during one of his appearances on the BBC, covering Euro 2008 as a pundit, that Villa had rejected at least one bid from Liverpool for the England man.

But Barry has decided he must make the move now or regret it for the rest of his career.

He told the News of the World: "My mind is made up, I want to join Liverpool.

"There's no going back, it's time for me to move on. I'm desperate to play Champions League football and that's why I have to leave Villa."

Barry has been at Villa Park since coming through the ranks as a youth. His loyalty to the club earned him the captaincy but he is not pleased with how he has been treated in the off-season.

He explained: "Villa kept saying they wanted me to stay but I have not heard from the manager for weeks."

Barry is unhappy that O'Neill has found time to work for the BBC but has not found time to speak to him about his future at the club.

The 27-year-old expected the club to try harder to keep him at Villa and is disappointed they have not offered him anything to show their commitment towards him.

He said: "Its seven weeks now since the season finished but while the gaffer's found time to be a pundit for the BBC at Euro 2008, he hasn't found the time to speak to me.

"Have Villa offered me anything to try to persuade me my future is at Villa Park, not Anfield? Not a thing," he added.

It remains to be seen if Liverpool are able to match Villa's valuation of the player or if Barry's determination to leave will see the Birmingham side accept less than they originally hoped to receive.