Gareth Barry's proposed move to Liverpool would appear to have fallen through after chief executive Rick Parry claimed the transfer fee Aston Villa are seeking for the midfielder is "too high."
Barry has been poised for a switch to Anfield all summer but the Reds have been unwilling to match the asking price of €22 million.
Last month Villa set Liverpool a deadline to submit an acceptable offer but none was forthcoming and the midlanders then announced the deal was off.
However, a few days later manager Martin O'Neill conceded Barry's heart was still set on the move, leaving the way open for Liverpool.
But the expected transfer has still not happened amid speculation Liverpool's American owners are not willing to fork out the money following Robbie Keane's €25 million move from Tottenham.
In a statement, Parry insisted George Gillett and Tom Hicks are backing Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez.
"There has been a lot of comment regarding our position with regards to Gareth Barry," Parry said on www.liverpoolfc.tv
"This is not about questioning the manager's judgment or the ability of a particular player. The owners have clearly demonstrated throughout the year they are willing to back Rafa in the transfer market and will continue to do so.
"It is obviously the selling club's prerogative to put whatever price they want on the player, but on this occasion Liverpool think the price quoted is too high."
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