Barry saga is not my fault, blasts Reds chief Benitez

RAFAEL BENITEZ has blamed the Liverpool hierarchy for the protracted Gareth Barry transfer saga.

The Anfield boss, preparing for today’s Premier League opener at Sunderland, was yesterday very clear that he still wants the Aston Villa midfielder.

And he privately dismissed as unimportant the fact that Barry is now cup-tied for the first phase of the Champions League, having played for Villa in the UEFA Cup this week.