Liverpool are reportedly doubtful of moving for Aston Villa’s wantaway midfielder Gareth Barry to match the £18m asking price after being turned down on four separate occasions earlier in the summer.

The Express and Star citing sources in the north-west, claim that the England international’s Merseyside move is now in doubt, because the Reds’ owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks are no longer prepared to splash out the £18m Villa are demanding.

The report adds that the American tycoons had previously indicated they would stump up the cash for Barry but now appear to have changed their minds, because they believe he is overpriced.

Supporting the argument that the 27-year-old is being ‘overpriced’, is the lack of interest from other clubs in tabling an official bid despite Arsenal being in the market for a central midfielder and had initially made an enquiry about Barry.

Moreover, Reds Boss Rafa Benitez has ruled out the sale of Dirk Kuyt and Yossi Benayoun, while Xabi Alonso is only happy to stay after interest from Juventus and also the Gunners reportedly ended due to his £15m price tag.