Patrik Berger has told team-mate Gareth Barry he has the opportunity of a lifetime to join Liverpool.
Berger insists Liverpool too good to turn down
Former Liverpool midfielder Patrik Berger has warned Aston Villa team-mate Gareth Barry he would waste the "opportunity of a lifetime" if he chooses not to move to Anfield this summer.
Reds manager Rafa Benitez has tabled a transfer package believed to be worth £20million in a bid to prise Barry away from Villa Park.
Barry has two years left on his Villa contract but Berger, who spent seven years at Anfield, has urged the 27-year-old England international to join Liverpool if he is to further his career.
"It's Liverpool and if I was in Gareth's position I would go there tomorrow," said the former Czech international.
Great Opportunity
"It is the opportunity of a lifetime in my opinion. I would go to Liverpool and experience it.
"Gareth is the heart of our team but Liverpool would be a massive challenge for him. It would be Champions League every year and he would be challenging to win trophies every year.
"Liverpool don't come after you every year. They want him because he has had a fantastic season and has been our main player from the beginning to the end. He has also played very well for the national team. I am not surprised they would like to sign him."
Villa can still pip Everton on the final day of the season to finish fifth and qualify for the Uefa Cup.
But Berger, 34, who will return to the Czech Republic this summer, believes Barry will not be experiencing UEFA Champions League football with Villa any time soon.
Big gap
"The gap, not just between Villa and the top four but between the rest of the league and the top four, is big," he added.
"To break into that top four you really have to spend a lot of money to bring in quality players. It is going to be tough for Villa to do it.
"It will take time and to reach the Champions League you need to keep players like Barry."
