Rafael Benitez blames Rick Parry for Liverpool's failure to sign Gareth Barry

Rafael Benitez blames Rick Parry for Liverpool's failure to sign Gareth Barry

Sunderland (0) 0 Liverpool (0) 1

Rafael Benitez blames Rick Parry for Liverpool's failure to sign Gareth Barry - Blame game: Rick Parry (r) is responsible for Liverpool's dithering in the trasfer market according to manager Rafa Benitez
Blame game: Rick Parry (r) is responsible for Liverpool's dithering in the trasfer market according to manager Rafael Benitez Photo: Getty Images/PA

Rafael Benitez made the position of chief executive Rick Parry untenable in the aftermath of Liverpool’s first win of the season, revealing he had been in direct contact with co-owner Tom Hicks about the farcical stuttering of the club’s efforts to sign Gareth Barry from Aston Villa and and sell Xabi Alonso.

Benitez made it abundantly clear that he blamed Parry for the club’s failure to sign Barry, the player he had identified as his prime target back in April, and revealed he had gone straight to the owner to ensure there was a resolution of the issue.

“I was in contact with Tom Hicks and I was told we have the money because we were selling players for more than £20 million, so we had enough and we have enough,” Benitez said. “And if we sell or one or two players we’ll have enough to sign another good player. I will not say which player but I have the support of at least one of the owners.

“I sent emails to all of them. He was clear that we had some money, he told me if I sell players, you can buy these players. So it isn’t a question of money. We have problems because we are not doing things that, in my opinion, we have to do in terms of signing players.’’ When asked directly if the problem was with the chief executive, Benitez made it clear he felt the club’s business was not being conducted properly.

“The question is that we have to be quicker and I told them these things four years ago and I continue thinking the same,” he said. ‘‘That way we can save more money and be able to sign the targets we have.”

Benitez was also clear in denying reports that he was prepared to quit because of the problems at Anfield. “My commitment to the club is 100 per cent, to the fans, with the players, with the club in general. I’ve said it 100 times — my family is really happy here and I want to win trophies with Liverpool.” There were signs in this game that this would be easier said than done. Liverpool were far from convincing here, struggling for much of the game against a substantially improved Sunderland. Just like last season, it was Fernando Torres who made the difference.

Torres is a marvel: he is a machine made for scoring. With this game drifting into anticlimax for Liverpool, Torres again showed why he is the outstanding striker in European football, exploding into life with just seven minutes to go, delivering a typical viper-strike from the left channel. It was inordinately hard on a much-improved Sunderland, but re-emphasised the exceptional qualities of the Spanish striker.

By bursting forward and beating Craig Gordon at the near post, Torres ensured a happy end to this troubled week for Liverpool. Benitez, in his fifth year in charge, is under serious pressure to make a title challenge but after this juddering start it, looks like he will again be relying largely on Torres.

Until the Spaniard’s late intervention, Sunderland had looked good value for a point. Roy Keane was typically hard on himself believing that a lack of competitive pre-season games may have been responsible for the loss of defensive concentration before the goal. “Just one chance, that’s what makes the difference,” Keane said.

“But that’s what the Premier League is all about. One or two maybe got tired in the last 10 or 15 minutes. But I can’t really fault my players.’’

Keane has bought well this summer and the new signings have substantially improved this team, especially the outstanding Steed Malbranque and the lively El Hadji Diouf. Sunderland had two outstanding chances to score: Daryl Murphy’s first-half header from Diouf’s cross, which Pepe Reina saved, and Diouf’s own miscued effort from Teemu Tainio’s cross that went straight at the Spanish goalkeeper.

Certainly, Liverpool were foggy-headed from kick-off, carrying a heavy hangover from their abysmal performance in the midweek Champions League qualifier against Standard Liege. They looked much better after the break, when Alonso was introduced for Damien Plessis, who had a back injury.