Gary Lineker is adamant that Rafa Benitez should have done everything he could to bring Gareth Barry to Liverpool.

In his column for the Daily Mail, Lineker reckons the failure to bring Barry in at Anfield is costing Benitez a huge headache in the middle of the park.

Lineker said: "It puzzles me why Barry did not end up at Anfield and I can only assume Benitez had the finances to sign either Glen Johnson or Barry and chose the wrong option.

"That is not a slur on Johnson, an extremely good full-back, but a realistic appraisal is that Barry's position is far more influential on the pitch.

"In 2008, Benitez could not have made it clearer how much he wanted Barry. He even fell out badly with chief executive Rick Parry after being refused the £18million to buy him.

"Yet in the last transfer window, and with Xabi Alonso clearly wanting to go to Real Madrid, Benitez chose to spend a fortune on Johnson and let Barry - who was in the final year of his contract and far cheaper - go to City, the club threatening Liverpool's top-four status."

The former England and Tottenham striker went on to explain why he felt Barry would have been a better option than Johnson.

He said: "Johnson has many qualities and could end up as good as Ashley Cole but he is still a full-back, after all.

"And if you are not strong in central midfield - and Liverpool aren't - you've got no chance. It is the heartbeat of your team.

"Instead of Barry - a really good player who never gives the ball away, gets up and down the pitch and can hit a damage pass - Liverpool have Lucas, a player nobody gets.

"As a result, the big question is not whether Liverpool can win the title but whether they can hold on to a Champions League spot. That is no formality, as Manchester City have a formidable squad and can spend more in January for a final push."

Lineker put all the blame on one man whom he feels is the sole reason for Liverpool's troubles this season.

The former England international exclaimed: "We will never know if Rafa Benitez's famous outburst against Sir Alex Ferguson affected the outcome of last season's title race but it is a ‘fact' that Liverpool have been in a downward spiral ever since.

"I know the modern-day manager doesn't publicly admit mistakes but Benitez must regret letting Barry walk straight into City's arms this summer after chasing him so enthusiastically the previous year."

If Liverpool allow United to win at Anfield, Benitez's side will be ten points adrift of the reigning champions in the league table.