Gareth Barry has hit back at accusations that his move to Manchester City was motivated by money and claimed the club's recent acquisitions justified his decision.

Barry left Aston Villa for City in a £12 million move at the start of last month after snubbing long-standing interest from Liverpool. Rafael Benitez, the Liverpool manager, criticised the decision and suggested Barry's move was down to "money, money, money".

However, the England midfielder insists the recent signings of Roque Santa Cruz and Carlos Tevez prove he was right to move to Eastlands. "There was maybe a bit of frustration [from Benitez] because it was well documented that Liverpool were in the market to sign me for a couple of years," he said. "But Manchester City had agreed a fee with Aston Villa.

"Once I'd spoken to the manager, heard the ambition and he told me what the club were aiming for, that suited me.

"People can talk about the money because of the speculation in the media but the players that are now joining are proving my decision to be a correct one.

"These are players that are really going to improve Manchester City and take us to where we want to go."