Benitez defends Carson valuation

Carson made his England debut since joining Villa (Getty)

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has hit back at claims the club's asking price for keeper Scott Carson is too high.

Carson, 22, has been on a season-long loan at Aston Villa this season, but any permanent move is being held up by his believed £10m-price tag.

"It is a matter between the clubs," Benitez told the Liverpool Echo.

"We agreed the fee with Aston Villa last year. The fee has been there for one season so to talk about the fee now is not correct."

Benitez added that his Villa counterpart Martin O'Neill was aware of the situation.

"We agreed with Martin O'Neill and that was the situation," said the Spaniard.

606: DEBATE What is Carson worth?

Carson arrived at Anfield from Leeds for £1m in January 2005 and had a spell at Charlton in 2006/07 before Villa paid £2m to take him on loan for this season.

He has drawn the comments from Benitez after urging the Reds to be more reasonable when it comes to deciding his future.

He told the Wolverhampton Express & Star newspaper: "It's too much. It's stupid money really.

"It may be time to move but I don't know if anyone will agree a fee."

He added: "I don't think Liverpool are stupid. They know what I'm worth.

"They would've recouped what they paid for me in loan fees over the last couple of years, so hopefully they can help me out."

Villa retain first option on signing Carson permanently and he knows his future almost certainly lies away from Anfield.

"Liverpool have a great keeper in Pepe Reina and he's going to take a lot of shifting, but I've played football for the last two seasons and I don't think I'll be content sitting on the bench."