Villa manager Martin O’Neill has responded to Rafael Benitez’s criticism of Gareth Barry by suggesting Liverpool may have taken the former skipper’s signing for granted.

The England international was widely expected to join long-term suitors Liverpool this summer after an Anfield move fell through a year ago, but the midfielder instead made a surprise £12million switch to Manchester City.

Benitez claimed money motivated Barry’s decision to join mega-rich City, but O’Neill – while admitting he was “a bit surprised” the player moved to Eastlands – revealed the Reds never tabled a fresh offer to top the £15million they bid for the player last summer.

He said: “Did Liverpool take it for granted that Gareth Barry would sign for them? They may well have done. Did they miss out on Barry for that reason? They may well have done.

“All I will say is that I said to Barry’s agent Michael Standing for us not to have the same debacle as last year, that they were perfectly at liberty to speak, I assumed to the top four teams.

“Liverpool were aware of the price we were asking if that was the case. But they did not contact us directly at all in this matter and never offered any money for him. My impression was that eventually it was a straight choice.

“I was a bit surprised, because Barry had mentioned playing in the Champions League as a reason for going, but Liverpool had not put a bid in.”