Liverpool made a last-minute bid to trump Manchester City for their new £12 million signing Gareth Barry, it has been revealed.

The Mirror says Liverpool did make a last gasp bid to snatch the Villa midfielder from Manchester City's clutches late on Tuesday night, but were ultimately put off by the player's wages.

Rafa Benitez spoke to Barry to try to persuade him to choose Anfield, but when he learnt the England man was being offered £90,000 a week by City, he reluctantly pulled out of the running.