George Gillett and Tom Hicks run the risk of an unhappy Anfield front office by refusing to back Rafael Benitez.

Gillett and Hicks have declined to come up with the US$36 million Benitez needs for Gareth Barry.

The deal was off as of Friday night, with the Villa captain more or less forced to reconsidering his future at Villa Park. Benitez has admitted that the deal was not on, but insisted the deal was "not a question of money."

Liverpool's American ownership have vetoed Benitez's proposal for a short-term loan to complete the Barry transfer, despite meeting the US$36 million fee earlier, but missing Villa's transfer deadline by a few minutes.

Gillett's and Hick's behaviour in Liverpool's quest to bring Barry to Anfield has raised doubts about the resources available to build a new stadium for the Reds, but it has been doubts of Barry's playing ability, not the lack of financial muscle, that has stalled the deal and strained their relationship with their manager.

Rafa had expected the deal to be signed, sealed and delivered earlier in the week after the player's agent, Alex Black, had stopped short of handing in a transfer request, demanding the deal to be made. Villa manager Martin O'Neill had also given Liverpool "all the time in the world" to come up with the alleged US$36 million that Liverpool board had signed off on last month.

The Americans have since sent their feedback to Benitez, casting doubt on whether Barry is value-for-money, the high depreciation value of the player (he is going to be 31 at the end of his proposed four-year deal) and the need to bolster the midfield, especially with Xabi Alonso still at Merseyside.

The Kop have added to the spectacle as well, in Friday's 1-0 friendly win over Lazio, chanting Alonso's name and mocking Barry's, but Benitez is still adamant about bringing in the England international.

"We have not been able to bring in Barry but it is not a question of money, I don't know what it is," the Liverpool manager said.

"We need to improve if we can and I think we need another player, because clearly we have problems on the left. I have sold [John Arne] Riise, [Harry] Kewell has gone, [Fabio] Aurelio is injured and [Sebastián] Leto didn't get a work permit, so we need another left-sided player."

"I cannot say now who that will be but Barry can fill that position and play in others, too. The rules will say we need four English and four associated players and Barry is English, who can play in three different positions, but I cannot say any more. All I can say is I will try my best but I don't know too much why we haven't signed Barry."

Meanwhile, Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry is said to be fed up with the progress of the deal, and wants his future to be in black and white by the start of the new Premier League campaign. The versatile midfielder has been publically chastised by the Villa fans for pressing for the move, and is now prepared to mend the fences with O'Neill if the deal falls through.

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