Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry admitted Sunday that the asking price for Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry was too much, the AFP reported.
Barry, 28, has been poised for a switch to Anfield all summer but the Reds have been unwilling to match the asking price of 18 million pounds.
And the proposed move has been thrown into further doubt after Parry admitted: "The price quoted is too high."
Liverpool's American owners are believed to be unwilling to pay the asking price following Robbie Keane's 20.3 million pound move from Tottenham.
In a statement, Parry insisted George Gillett and Tom Hicks are backing Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez.
"There has been a lot of comment regarding our position with regards to Gareth Barry," Parry said on www.liverpoolfc.tv
"This is not about questioning the manager's judgment or the ability of a particular player. The owners have clearly demonstrated throughout the year they are willing to back Rafa in the transfer market and will continue to do so.
"It is obviously the selling club's prerogative to put whatever price they want on the player, but on this occasion Liverpool think the price quoted is too high."