O'Neill blasts Benitez over Barry

O'Neill: Unhappy with Benitez

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Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has dismissed as "absolutely crazy" Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez's latest remarks in an escalating row over Gareth Barry.

O'Neill reacted angrily last week when news of Liverpool's £10million bid for the England midfielder was made public.

Benitez claimed on Thursday he was surprised by O'Neill's indignation because the pair had discussed the "idea" of a Barry transfer - which could include a player exchange - "20 days ago".

Absolutely crazy

O'Neill has responded to Benitez's claim, saying it is complete nonsense.

"What idea did I have? I've got absolutely no idea! I have no idea what he's talking about. It's absolutely crazy," O'Neill told the club's official website.

"It suggests this is a conversation that I wanted to keep going, to keep on the boiling pot. Absolutely not. It's a complete nonsense.

"This is not something I initiated and I certainly was not on the phone to him to ask him about his players either, which I think is something he's trying to refer to.

"That is not true. He mentioned players himself but I might not be interested in any of his players."

Benitez claimed yesterday that after the pair spoke, O'Neill told him he would discuss the matter with owner Randy Lerner and it could then be dealt with at the end of the season. Liverpool then made their official bid.

Benitez yesterday claimed O'Neill had known "everything about my idea and I knew about his idea".

But O'Neill has rubbished suggestions that Benitez's remarks somehow expose their previous conversation.

Astonished

O'Neill added: "I'm absolutely astonished at this story, 'Rafa Exposes O'Neill'.

"I've never denied speaking to Rafa Benitez so how can you be exposed for something you haven't denied?

"I think Rafa is being very clever here. He gives the impression that there's been constant dialogue. That's simply and utterly untrue.

"He made a phone call to me - I did not initiate the phone call. He asked about Gareth Barry and I said: 'Well he's got a testimonial and two years left to run and he's our best player.' So what would the reaction be?

"I said that I would speak to our owner - obviously because he has a big, big say in the proceedings - and I assumed he would have the same answer as myself - that Gareth wasn't for sale.

"So I'm astonished to read this. The next conversation I had with Rafa Benitez was last Friday morning when Liverpool had put in a faxed offer to us which we received on Thursday afternoon."