Benitez committed to Reds '100%'

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The Spaniard's interest in the Aston Villa midfielder has been this close season's longest-running transfer saga, and one which some reports suggest brought Benitez to the brink of leaving Anfield.

"I don't read headlines on the day of the game, but my commitment is 100% - with the fans, with the players and with the club in general. I say 100 times my family is happy here - we want to win trophies at this club because it is a massive club," he said after watching his side record a fortunate 1-0 win over Sunderland in their season opener.

"If we have problems because we are not doing things which, in my opinion as a manager we could do, I will work as hard as I can for the club."

While Benitez refused to overtly name Barry as the source of the recent discontent at the club, he was as clear as he could be that he wants the versatile England international to join his squad sooner rather than later.

"I will not talk about any player - but in April I was talking about this (behind the scenes)," he recalled.

"We tried to do things in confidentiality, but sometimes you cannot and you need to explain before the end of the transfer window. If the manager has an idea and it is not a question of money, then we have to make the right decisions in terms of whom we bring in. That has to be the decision of the manager."

The Spaniard was also quick to emphasise the need for greater speed in his club's dealings.

Barry has already played for Villa in the UEFA Cup - meaning he would be ineligible for the Champions League group stages - a situation Benitez is clearly unhappy about.

"We have to be quicker," he said. "I thought this four years ago and I think it now. If you are quicker it is easier to sign the target you have."