Sorry to see Xabi go
Xabi Alonso appears to be on the verge of a move to Juventus meaning that his Liverpool career looks all but over and I for one will be sorry to see the Spaniard go.
On his day Alonso is a real class act of a footballer. His presence in Liverpool's midfield gives the Reds something different. His ability to pick out a pass is something that arguably no other player in the current squad (Steven Gerrard apart) can bring to the table.
Alonso has been the consummate professional since arriving on Merseyside in 2004 and has made huge contributions to Liverpool's successes since, building a real affinity with the supporters in the process.
Admittedly it wasn't 'his day' often enough last campaign and it's fair to say that the midfielder hasn't reached the standards he set in his magnificent first two seasons at the club for a while now (although he was excellent against Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final at Anfield).
Injuries certainly did not help his cause but Alonso did appear to be getting stronger as the term drew to a close.
Evidently it does not look enough to save his stay at Anfield.
Ultimately, you have to trust the manager's judgement and Rafa has gotten right more times than wrong in the transfer market, but the rumours that he'll have to sell in order to buy this summer just don't seem like going away any time soon.
The funs generated from the sale of Alonso look as though they will almost certainly be put towards trying to lure Barry away from Villa park which leaves fans to ponder which of the two they'd like to see in Liverpool's midfield next season, all of the while knowing that, if it is a case of selling to buy, the Reds' number 14 shouldn't have to be sacrificed for the (older) England international.
Perhaps Benitez sees Barry as being more dynamic, covers more grass, and feels that his left foot, possibly the sweetest in the Premiership, will present more options and balance to Liverpool next season.
There are no question marks regarding Barry's ability; he is an excellent player and he will add something extra to Liverpool next season, if he signs, but whether this will be negated by the loss of Alonso only time will tell.
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this selling to buy is what that cancer Hicks has brought us to. He is eating away at the innards of our club to sate his own lust for power and cash.
the sooner he crawls back under the Texas stone that he and his spawn appeared from the better!!!
Parry introduced Liverpool to Hicks. It was an obvious mistake that would have been clear to any idiot with half a brain. Impending downturn in US financial market, poor performance of dollar against the pound, the fact that he was a late minute add on to the deal, experience of the last managerial partnership at the club, the fact that he's best buddies with George Bush, I mean the list is endless. Any idiot would see this deal as dangerous to the club. But hey £8M is a result innit.
if we lose alonso we are stupid! i hope we keep him!
Alonso is a real class act of a footballer. His presence in Liverpool's midfield gives the Reds something different. His ability to pick out a pass is something that arguably no other player in the current squad (Steven Gerrard apart) can bring to the table.
if we lose alonso RAFA IS stupid! we MUST keep him!
alonso it's a big lost.....
he's a world class player in the world...
we'll miss you....
you'll never walk alone....
I just think it is unbelievable that we could let Alonso go.He is one class act ,thats why Juventus /Real Madrid want him.He has been a true legend but again it seems we have to sell to buy and xabi is very saleable.All fans will miss him.
ALONSO IS A CLASS PLAYER, REALLY DISAPOINTED WIT RAFA ON THIS ONE....
CAN'T BELIEVE HE'S GETTIN RID OF XABI, WHO IS WORLD CLASS, HAS MORE EXPERIENCE, PLAYIN BOTH PREM & INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL AND HE'S YOUNGER, I REALLY DON'T SEE THE SENSE IN ALL OF IT, I THINK BARRY WILL BE A GREAT SIGNIN BUT NOT AT THE EXPENSE OF XABI.....
I THOUGHT RAFA WANTS TO MAKE THE SQAUD STRONGER... LETTIN XABI GO WILL BE A HUGE MISTAKE
Xabi for Barry? Sounds mad. Xabis a class act. Why arent the other top clubs sniffing around Barry? Because hes a dime a dozen PL player. Crouchie part of the deal as loose change as well believing the papers. Sounds mad to me, but the Rafa must see something we dont. In the end we have to trust Rafa when it comes to the wheeling and dealing. Agree the yankee comboys have forced Rafas hand to conduct business in this manner. We should not be selling to balance the books.
Rafa; This is a big mistake. What the hell are you doing? Why Barry? Because he is English? 6+5 rule maybe? Alonso is a world class player and we need him to challenge for the PL title. We need two class wingers! Not Gareth Barry. We need players like Quaresma and Bentley. The Americans are to blame for this situation!
ALONSO WASN'T QUICK ENOUGH FOR PREMIERLEAGUE,GAVE AWAY TOO MANY FREE KICKS,POOR TACKLER,ALL HIS GOOD GAMES WERE IN THE SLOWER / TIME ON THE BALL EUROPEAN GAMES,RAFA'S GOT THIS ONE RIGHT.
think its time to get rid of rafa 7m on second rate left back we are getting to far behind
Paul,well said mate - yours is the only sensible contribution on this piece and I totally agree with all that you have said.You should be part of the coaching team at Anfield.Alonso is a class act,good on the ball and can pick a pass,all that but he is too slow for the PL and if that is what we aim to win next season then really RAFA has got this one spot.RAFA is a genius!!!
Its quite clear really. Barry is by far the more mobile of the two, which is what rafa wants from his defensive midfield partnership. And to lable barry as a run of the mill PL player is stupid. for all the great memories alonso has provided, i am stuck with the image of him facing our goal on the edge of the box late this season, too slow to turn and giving posession away in such a dangerous position. This is precisely why, if i had to pick between the two i would take barry. and face it, the guy is englands second best box to box midfielder.
Will be so sorry to see Alonso go.Why have you to lose good players that are established at a club for apparently "better"players.
Why isn,t the like of Vorinin/Pennant not going or are they?
Next we,ll be reading that Dirk,s going.
Get the team settled,playing and maybe have the chance of reaching 19 titles before the Manure do.....
Will be so sorry to see Alonso go.Why have you to lose good players that are established at a club for apparently "better"players.
Why isn,t the like of Vorinin/Pennant not going or are they?
Next we,ll be reading that Dirk,s going.
Get the team settled,playing and maybe have the chance of reaching 19 titles before the Manure do.....
xabi is a great player for sure... this season xabi was a bit low...i am afraid this does not guarantee us the 19 title. The squad need strength in middle and back..outstanding player to play alongside gerard, torres, babel etc..
things could be much easier for us without the 2 big scums from the u.s..let's hope enough water come from Dubai to flush all that...GOD SAVE THE KOP!!!
we can win the premiership? Yes,we can . Yes, we can .
Is anybody here bothered about all this talk of sharing a stadium with the second rate team across Stanley Park?In Italy and in Germany teams that share a stadium have lost a big part of their identity,when you walk into Anfield you know that's where you belong,you feel like you own a small part of it and you only share it with people that are just like you in that respect,these americans are skint and we all know that the history and the tradition of this club means little to them, we as fans have to get organized and fight this abomination of an idea if it is true they are considering it.
liverpool managers sucks how can he let alonso go to anther teams like juvintos alonso very good player and this year he have bad season but he will have good time next
season
I just believe in rafa and nothing else. What we need is someone who is dynamic, can lead, influencial and equip with a desperate to win kind of mentallity. And thats barry! Xavi is no doubt one of the greatest. But hey, just immagine the trio of gerard, barry and javier battling in the middle! I m beginning to immagine how will our opponents shiver under their continuous rampage!!! In Rafa We Trust!
If Xavi is out, what I think is a mistake, who is going to join the Reds in his position. If this is a fact then bring in a new player talented enough to make us forget the loss.
Best "red"gards to all
This is a good move by Rafa, he is making a profit on Xabi and signing a class midfield who is more diverse, Gareth Barry can split a defence with a pass, is a better attacking and defencive player than Xabi and he's more versitile. The trio of Gerrard, Barry and Masch in the centre of our midfield is mouth watering, I also have a feeling that the money from Xabi will be used to finance a move for a big player hopefully Villa, Rafa is sneaky he will be playing his cards close to his chest, expect a suprise buy. Dossena looks good to watched Udinesse a few times this season and he is on the brink of breaking in to the Italy squad, not sure about Degan looks like he has a trick or to.
Team for next season:
-----------------Reina------------------
--------Carra---Skrtel---Agger----------
----------------------------------------
Degan----------------------------Dossena
----------------Masch-------------------
-------Gerrard---------Barry------------
----------------------------------------
---------------------Babel--------------
-----------Torres-----------------------
Subs:
Carson (if we still have him.
Arbeloa (play right along the back line)
Lucas (cover for all 3 midfielders)
Mancini (if we get him)
Idriaz (looks very good could come on for Torres or Babel)
Kuyt (can play right, left and as a striker)
Milner (can play on either flank)
We have wingers on the bench when we need a change around but Dossena
and Degan are more attacking full backs, so I figure they will put in the work on the flanks, we have three class centre back and if those three were at the back together with Masch in front of them it would be like Helms deep, Barry and Gerrard would dominate that midfield area I swear there is some kind of psychic bond between these 2, and I would love to see Babel play just behind Torres, the pace and power would be great and they are bothe very skillful players.
Team for next season:
-----------------Reina------------------
--------Carra---Skrtel---Agger----------
----------------------------------------
Degan----------------------------Dossena
----------------Masch-------------------
-------Gerrard---------Barry------------
----------------------------------------
---------------------Babel--------------
-----------Torres-----------------------
Subs:
Carson (if we still have him.
Arbeloa (play right along the back line)
Lucas (cover for all 3 midfielders)
Mancini (if we get him)
Idriaz (looks very good could come on for Torres or Babel)
Kuyt (can play right, left and as a striker)
Milner (can play on either flank)
We have wingers on the bench when we need a change around but Dossena
and Degan are more attacking full backs, so I figure they will put in the work on the flanks, we have three class centre back and if those three were at the back together with Masch in front of them it would be like Helms deep, Barry and Gerrard would dominate that midfield area I swear there is some kind of psychic bond between these 2, and I would love to see Babel play just behind Torres, the pace and power would be great and they are bothe very skillful players.