David Platt urges Gareth Barry to join Liverpool FC

Jun 23 2008

Gareth Barry, England _320

Former Aston Villa skipper David Platt has stood by his belief that Gareth Barry should quit the midlands club and move to Liverpool.

Villa boss Martin O’Neill described Platt’s comments as "worthless" when he originally made his stance on Barry known when working as a Sky Sports pundit last month.

But the ex-England midfielder is unbowed and believes Barry has to leave - in the same way Michael Carrick left Tottenham to move to Manchester United two years ago.

Platt said: "Michael Carrick needed to leave and join a big club because it puts bigger demands on you and it is the same with Gareth Barry.

"It’s not necessarily the people within the club but just the level you are playing at and what you are playing for.

"I’ve always said that Michael Carrick was like a Rolls Royce. He needed to put his foot down and have to run to show what it could do - and I’d say the same with Gareth.

"At the moment he can walk into the Aston Villa team. He is guaranteed a place.

"At Liverpool there will be a massive amount of pressure next year. There will be more demands of him at Liverpool than there would be at Villa and he needs to go to reach that level."

Platt, who worked with Barry during his stint as England Under-21 coach, added: "People can get disgruntled about things but it’s just my opinion.

"Martin O’Neill knows more about the Gareth Barry situation than me.

"I’ve got nothing against Martin. He has done exceptionally well and he’s just had a good season with Villa."

Villa have already rejected three bids from Liverpool for Barry whom is rated in the £18 to £20 million bracket by O’Neill although he would prefer the 27-year-old to stay at Villa and sign a new contract.