I was 100 per cent joining Liverpool – but I ended up snubbing them and Arsenal

Barry reveals he was set to join Liverpool in 2008 but chose Manchester City instead, rejecting similar offers from Arsenal.

Gareth Barry has opened up about his failed 2008 move from Aston Villa to Liverpool, explaining how the deal fell through after manager Martin O'Neill rejected multiple bids from the Reds. Barry had publicly expressed his desire to play Champions League football and initially believed the transfer was certain to happen.

After patching things up with O'Neill, Barry's exit eventually came the following summer in 2009. Liverpool and Arsenal both remained interested, but Manchester City's arrival changed everything. Despite identical financial offers from Liverpool and Arsenal, Barry was drawn to City's project and the prospect of a new challenge with an underdog club that had just been taken over by Sheikh Mansour. He rejected suggestions he joined for money, insisting the contracts were equivalent across all three clubs.

Barry spent four years at City, winning the FA Cup in 2011 and the Premier League title in 2012. He later joined Everton and went on to set a Premier League appearance record before James Milner surpassed it.