Liverpool warn they will not be held to ransom in transfer market

By David Maddock
mirror.co.uk

Liverpool last night warned that they will not be held to ransom in the summer transfer market.
Manager Rafa Benitez has been thwarted in his aim to bring Gareth Barry and James Milner to Anfield.
Aston Villa want a staggering £20million for their skipper Barry, while Newcastle insist midfielder Milner will not be allowed to leave for less than £10m.
Even unheralded players Benitez had his eye on such as Albert Riera come with vastly inflated price tags.
Espanyol want £12m for left winger Riera, even though he has only one Spain cap and failed in the Prem with Manchester City.
That has led Benitez to rethink his strategy, and he is now ready to turn his back on the deals he has pursued and walk away if necessary.
He has been linked with Valencia's international winger David Silva, but only if the price is right.
In contrast Liverpool believe they have been more realistic when it comes to selling their players.
And yesterday they came down in their valuation of John Arne Riise to allow the defender to move to Roma for £4m.
They have also come to a compromise with Juventus over the £14m sale of midfielder Xabi Alonso to Juventus.
And they are prepared to negotiate for want-away England striker Peter Crouch.
That should give Benitez around £30m to spend on new signings and he has made it clear to the club's owners that he will not be held to ransom.
But there is some hope for Rafa over the Barry deal, as Villa have signed fellow midfielder Steve Sidwell from Chelsea, which suggests they are prepared to move closer to Liverpool's £15m offer.