Gareth Barry team-mate urges him: Move to Liverpool

May 5 2008 Liverpool Daily Post

Patrik Berger (158)

GARETH BARRY has been urged to join Liverpool – by his own team-mate.

Former Liverpool midfielder Patrik Berger is now at Aston Villa, who confirmed they received a player-plus-cash offer worth £10million from Liverpool for their captain last week.

And the Czech said: “If I was in Gareth’s position I would go there tomorrow. It is the opportunity of a lifetime. Liverpool don’t come after you every year.

“He is the heart of our team and it would be a massive challenge for him. He would be in the Champions League and challenging to win trophies every year.

“I’m not surprised they want to sign him. He has had a fantastic season and was our main player from the beginning to the end. He has played well for the national team as well. But I think the gap — not just between Villa and the top four but the rest of the League — is big. To break into the top four you would really have to spend a lot of money.”

According to Villa sources, owner Randy Lerner is prepared to back O’Neill financially over a new contract for Barry.