Liverpool's board is urging manager Rafa Benitez to rethink his intentions to cash in on midfielder Xabi Alonso.

The News of the World says the Spanish midfield ace had been told he was surplus to requirements and could talk to other clubs. But that was when Benitez was confident of signing Barry, 27. Joint owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett had backed Benitez in his bid for the England ace.

But the Yanks want further talks on the merits of keeping Alonso instead.