Xabi Alonso transfer request - the verdict
NEWS that Xabi Alonso has handed in a written transfer request is a major disappointment to Liverpool fans but little surprise.
It had become increasingly clear throughout the summer's saga that the 27-year-old had his heart set on a move to Real Madrid.
He had consistently refused to reveal his intentions but his silence spoke volumes about where he saw his future.
During last week's tour of the Far East, Asian Liverpool fans pleaded with Alonso to stay.
However, he replied: "It's difficult to give any guarantees."
Boss Rafa Benitez always insisted Alonso was not for sale and vowed to hold on to the talented midfielder.
However, Benitez has grown increasingly frustrated at the ongoing speculation and admitted after last Sunday's 5-0 win over Singapore that he didn't know if Alonso would play for the club again.
Alonso hoped Liverpool would accept a bid and he could secure his switch to Real without putting in an official transfer request.
But Benitez has dug in, determined to ensure if Alonso did go it was clear who had been the driving force behind the move.
Benitez didn't want to be portrayed as the man responsible for agreeing to sell one of the club's top stars to their European rivals.
A stand-off has developed but Benitez's decision to give Alonso a 48-hour deadline to sort out his future has paid off with the player finally going public on his desire to quit Anfield.
It's all a far cry from five years ago when Benitez took over as boss and made Alonso his number one target.
It took £10.7million to prise him away from Real Sociedad and the Spanish international proved a major hit.
However, their relationship was soured last summer when Alonso was almost sold to Juventus in order to finance a bid for Aston Villa's Gareth Barry.
Ultimately, Alonso stayed put and enjoyed a fine season but the episode convinced him to cut short his stay on Merseyside.
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Honestly, sick to my stomach gutted
As a Liverpool fan and an admirer of Xabi Alonso I'm disappointed to see his imminent departure. I wish him all the best (Champions League Runners-up medal included) and thank him for the privilege of many fine displays during his time in Liverpool. In my opinion he's been a great servant to the club and one of the finest players to wear the red. Looking back let's hope that the replacement mirrors Kevin Keegans replacement.
In my opinion, this changes nothing, everyone knows that his head was turned by Madrid but they just have to understand that they either put the money that Rafa wants on the table or else he will have to stay at Anfield whether he likes it or not. We all know what Martin O`Neill did last year and we should act in the same manner. Liverpool are in a much stronger position then Villa were last season because Alonso still has 3 years on his current contract, whereas Barry only had 2 years left. There is also the fact that this year is World Cup year and a player cannot afford to take it easy, therefore I beleive that Rafa has the right cards in his hands. On the other hand if he has to leave I suggest that we get a couple of Madrid players to replace him as there aren`t much players on the market and the ones that we`ve been linked with in the media are simply not good enough.
No player bigger than Liverpool but £30 million £20 more than he was paid for is good result. Like him as a player but rem he still not rated as one of the world best or in the first 11 for Spain National team but just wonder if the new local players rule for the Champions League has made him so needed for Real Madrid?
It is indeed bad for the team at this juncture due to the uncertainty of whoever will come in his place. The fact of the matter is he was good with the ball on his feet bat slow while falling back and chasing counters. We need a play-maker of his mould but faster that can be seen in Barry and others who are just as good.
Let him go for no less than the requested £30m rememeber Gareth Barry had 2 years on his contract when Martin O'Neil dug his heels in. If Perez thinks he is worth less because of an alleged asking price last year, then why did he not buy him last year. The truth is thanks to the champions league rule for club nationality to be recognised in the team a player of Alono's quality is preceless to Real Madrid. As for Xabi's decision.... Thanks for turning your back on the fans that showed their support to you. It's bad enough to request to leave but to do it this close to the start of the season is unforgiveable!!!!
Never really liked him as a player .Some say he passes the ball well but look at Gerrad he's the best in that department.For me Benitez was right to sell him off he was from bad to worse just before his form picked up.But contrary to others i think Gerrard was our best player ..we need players to score goals and who are quick...if Mascherano wants to leave kick him out tooFed up with these low life players.If you play for Liverpool you play with your WHOLE HEART!Imo Alonso and Mascherano will both perish in these teams there are utterly bigger better players than them...we'll see if they keep complaining after their so called dream moves!!
It's sad to see him want to leave, but I can understand. I dont think I would have wanted to stay if I wasn't red thru and thru. Thanks for some brilliant displays Xabi and Good luck apart from if The Reds meet Real of course :-)
Not ideal timing from Xabi to say the least but 1/ He's Spanish - he's been playing overseas for 5 years and when the top club in Spain come calling, difficult to resist - imagine if a Liverpool fan playing in Spain had a bid for them, you'd tend to go with your heart 2/ £30m should give at least two players in. Silva is quality and maybe Madrid could part-ex Sneider, Van der Vaart etc. What about even van Nistelrooy - that would really get Fergie's back up!
I'm gutted, but if he wants to go let him go. If he leaves and he will this will put a dent on our chances of winning the league this coming season.
He is going to be difficult to replace. I'm in my 50's and Alonso is the best passer of the ball Liverpool have had since Jan Molby.
Knowing Rafa he almost certainly has someone lined up, but who?
kes, you are an absoulte idiot.
Bad bad news! Alonso is one of the key players of the team. When he was injured the REDS were literally struggling on the field. Only problem is that if he wants to leave, no one can change his mind. We should have appreciated him more I guess. A class player and will be sadly missed at Anfield. Let's remember his best moments, too much to mention... and his miracle goals. Wrote his name in the BIG RED BOOK. Once RED - Always RED. Thanks a lot Xabi!
Hey guys
Lets all not be bitter towards Xabi, we must admit that he played his heart out evrytime he took to the field.He is seriously one of the best passers of the ball today lets all appreciate what he did for Liverpool.Also on another note, i think players that go to Real Madrid don't have a long career cause they alwys finding new players to replace players that are there for two years or more.Look at what happened to Michael Owen, he's career got messed up when he left us to go play for them but lets wish Xabi all the luck if he does decide to go to Real.
Jay the red you are more of an idiot than me!!STOP these crocodile tears over a player who wants to LEAVE US!!!Enough is Enough!
Xabi will be sorely missed, he set the tempo of Liverpools play, whereas Gerrard and Torres impacted on a game it is/was Xabi who determined the tempo/urgency/composure that was required for any given circumstances....Adios Xabi
I hope Rafa gets to spend the money, He should sell all the deadwood, combine he stash and go after Villa, he could drop Stevie to midfield alongside Mascherano
I agree with Kes, the season before last was not his best. In fact if he leaves, his first and last seasons will have been his best! with the 3 in the middle, not upto the standards he is capable of. That said he is a talented player who you would not want to lose, but Gerrard, Carra, Torres he is not, and with the money, we should be able to sign a more than adequate replacement who should be able to help us kick on and win the league! Lets remember, we're not exactly breaking up a league wining side!
So who are these "adequate" replacements for Xabi, who cost less than £30m and are realistic signings???
Nobody in the Premier League, that's for sure.
Good luck Xabi - in the same situation, I'd probably do the same.
Xabi will be missed, he used to patrol the same part of the pitch as I used to and he is an excellent passer of the ball. He will be missed by everyone but sometimes its better to let players go, after all, he has handed in a transfer request. It is now important that we get a good price for him and I hope Rafa Benitez stands firm, as he has done so. He will be missed but we can kick on from here. It depends on who comes in and whoever it is must really add value to the existing squad.
Personally I'd like to see David Silva arrive and he is a different type of player to Alonso, more attacking. The likes of Lucas and Jay Spearing can now compete for the slot alongside Mascherano. Alternatively, if Rafa wants to play two up front then Gerrard can drop back into the middle - but this is not his best position andRafa knows this.
He is a good player and Liverpool will miss him, but also there is an opportunity to improve the team if they can replace him and adapt to his loss.
Good luck Xabi, you'll be missed.
Xabi was a great player and pulled the strings like Jan Molby. His vision was amazing and he gave 100% in every game. Unfortunately because of Barrygate and they he was treated by Rafa now we are going to miss him.
You can't directly replace him but I do think we need to go 4-4-2 with stevie and mach in the middle and bring in Silva or Villa to play up top with Torres with Babel as cover. the other option is Sneijder to play in midfield and leave Stevie where he was last season and buy another striker Negredo and Robben to cover for Riera.
And the crazy option is Agger to play in Central Midfield. Yes he can play passes like Alonso, he sure can tackle and he loves to go forward certainly a better option than Lucas is at the moment.
All is not lost as we are getting 3 times the money that Juve offered which hopefully means 2-3 new quality players not Dossena Clones.
Finally thank you Xabi for the good times I wish you personally good luck but not your team as I prefer Barca to Madrid any day.
You wrote "A stand-off has developed but Benitez's decision to give Alonso a 48-hour deadline to sort out his future has paid off with the player finally going public on his desire to quit Anfield"
I'm yet to read anything from any stie/paper/whatever with a quote from Xabi saying "Yes I have put a transfer request in" even tho the above says he has gone public. Till then or he is sold it's all a media beat up!!!!!
All I'll say is, "Thanks Xabi and good luck." He's done us proud and wants to go home, so what ? He had a good season last season but not so good the season before, in fact, average. He's a good defensive midfielder who doesn't score enough goals.
I can understand his decision to leave the premier league. Xabi has clearly been targeted as the man to 'get' and takes a good kicking in most games. Some of the tackles on Xabi in recent seasons have been disgraceful. Any player would be concerned that one of these tackles could end his career a move to La Liga may prolong it.
muchas gracias Xabi,buen viaje y buen suerte.
You keep on referring to the Gareth Barry saga as the reason for the frosty relationship Xabi had with Rafa. You however seem to forget the Inter Milan saga, when Xabi on the eve of the match requested to be left out of the team to enable him stay with his wife (then fiancee) after the birth of their child. We wish him well if he wants to leave because no player is above the club.
fair enough If he wants to leave , let him BUT at the right price,
when real madrid say he is 'unique', "hard to find players with his skill" ,, "he is irreplacable" and than they are not ready to match Rafa's valuation of Xabi,
Mr. perez if you want your man ,just come up with the right money or else look elsewhere . Alonso is still a liverpool player for the next 3 years if you don't match the fee now and fast
Rafa should and will stand to his point for the fee asked ,YNWA
The best midfield in England, and second best in europe after barcelona,maybe as good, is about to be teared appart, how can some of you so call football fans cannot see that? come here at the end of next season and you will be talking about how much we nned xavi
Before Alonso, who was the last player to put in a transfer request from Liverpool F.C.
Before Alonso, who was the last player to put in a transfer request at Liverpool F.C.
Sad to see him go, but if he doesn't want to stay then get the thirty million and lets look forward.
Why don't we ask about Robben and Huntelaar, we need another striker definitely. Or even better how about this take Van Nistelrooy, top class and proven goalscorer in the premier league, we'd probably get him for about one million.
That would really do the Mancs heads in, same as Owen going there. It must be worth a little gamble, we could give Torres a little break when needed then.