Gerrard urges Rafa to buy Barry

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard says he would like to link up with his England international teammate Gareth Barry at Anfield, amid rumours Rafa Benitez is set to launch a bid for the Aston Villa captain for the second summer in a row.

Barry looked poised to seal a move to Merseyside last summer, but the deal collapsed when the Reds and Villa couldn’t agree a fee. With Liverpool able to offer him Champions League football, it is understood Barry would jump at the opportunity to join Benitez’s squad.

And Gerrard says Barry would fit in perfectly at Anfield.

“Would I still like to see Gareth Barry join Liverpool?” said Gerrard, “Yes. He is a top player. Top players improve your team and squad. He is a Liverpool type of player.

“He is very clever but he is still an Aston Villa player and I don’t want to disrespect Martin O’Neill. If it happens, then great.

“If it doesn’t, hopefully we get players in of Gareth’s standard.”