LIVERPOOL (SW) - Liverpool have improved their bid for Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry. BBC reports that the 2005 European champions are willing to pay 20 million Euros.

This is however, still less than the 23 million Euros demanded by Villa.

The 27 year old Barry has played in Birmingham since 1997 and feels that it is time to make a move:

"There's no way back. It's time for me to take the next step. I really want to play in the Champions League and that's why I have to leave Villa."

Manager Martin O'Neill is willing to let the player go, but only if Liverpool offer the right amount of money.