Liverpool FC Forum

by **Years Of Decay** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 11:28 pm

"Reds' midfielder Xabi Alonso has said Barcelona FC will always have a special place in his heart but that at present his footballing desire is firmly based on Merseyside.

Alonso has a deal on the table at present which he has said he will look at come the end of the season, to avoid any distraction from Liverpool's season.

"The rumours about my return to Spain are going on all the time. My situation is clear, if any club want me then it is obligatory for them to speak with Liverpool," he told a UK tabloid.

"Barcelona is a city very important to me and the club is also important to my father (a former Barca player), but in the world of football you cannot always make a decision with your heart," Alonso added.

"Now in my head I only have a place for The Reds. We are at a key moment in the season and I do not want any distraction. Liverpool have presented me with a new deal but until the end of the season I do not have an answer for them," Alonso added."

Doesnt sound good

by **metalhead** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 11:38 pm

I'm not worried, he will still be here next season.

by **Sabre** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 11:46 pm

*cough*

2 weeks ago I heard gossips from a mate that is a close friend of Paco Aiestaran.

Among other things he said this rumour to me. I didn't post it here, because I don't like posting rumours that are not a fact. But I shared those rumours with A.B. who could confirm this if he hadn't stop posting.

According to my gossip sources, Barcelona is going to fight seriously for Alonso, but it doesn't mean that Alonso will leave, because as he says, LFC has the right to retain him. And if that happens Alonso will be happy anyway, because HE IS NOT unsettled at LFC, on the contrary he is happy. It's true that the two clubs that he carries in his heart in Spain are RS and Barcelona. RS is too small for his level, Barcelona isn't, but then, he's also happy at LFC.

This gossip I shared with my witness was confirmed by a radio pundit that gets this things right very often 2 days ago.

Bottomline, it's all up to LFC. Alonso is happy in LFC, and despite Barcelona would be a club of his liking, it's all up to LFC. The interest of Barcelona is real, Begiristain has admitted it.

Apart of this gossip, I knew a couple of interesting things about Paco Aiestaran, like, he was the one to suggest Rafa the signing up of Sissoko, it wasn't a Rafa idea. I knew aswell that Paco plans some day to train a Spanish team, he gets along well with Rafa, but admits he has some desire of further ambitions.

My opinion? Barcelona should pay ridiculous amount of money to LFC even consider the idea. And I'm not so sure Barcelona could do that at the moment. A swap? maybe, but if I was Rafa, I wouldn't get rid of Alonso.

by **murphy0151** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 11:47 pm

If he wants to go he wants to go. We dont want players who dont want to be here end of.

by **Lando_Griffin** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 3:24 am

As long as the lad is happy here, I wouldn't sell him for any amount of money.

His importance to this team is so understated it's criminal.

by **Ace Ventura** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 12:01 pm

It would have to be silly money to even make Rafa half consider it i reckon.
The 16 million that was quoted in another thread is laughable.
I am with Lando and wouldnt want to sell him no matter what fee, he protects the back four, dictates the tempo of the game and is vital to the way we play.

by **puroresu** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 12:34 pm

I wouldnt be surprised if he has a desire to play for Barca. Just like I wont be surprised to see Fabregas in 2-3 years time say he wants to go back.

by **stmichael** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 1:08 pm

Selling Alonso would be madness. He is by far the best distributor of the ball in our whole club.

by **Elchris** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 1:12 pm

I think he'll leave.....but not nex season

by **JC_81** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 1:17 pm

No one can doubt Alonso's quality, he was immense for his first 2 seasons here. Fact is he hasn't been as consistent this season, I'd hate to think it's because he's had his head turned by Barcelona.

I hate to say it but if he really wants to go back to Spain and play for Barcelona at some stage, then maybe now's the time to use him as a bargaining tool to get Eto'o before we miss the boat.

Don't get me wrong, if Alonso is truly happy at Liverpool and he can get back to his best form then he's in my 1st 11 every time and I'd be glad to keep him. If he's not happy then we'd be fools not to use the fact Barcelona want him to our advantage.

by **RedBlood** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 1:26 pm

if i alonso leaves i will cry

by **Sabre** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 1:30 pm

I don't think he'll leave to be honest. Not at least this summer

Big Spanish clubs launch a lot of survey balloons to many targets but when it comes to put the real money on the table that's a whole different story, and Barcelona traditionally hasn't paid enormous sums a la Real Madrid.

I know he's happy among other things because he told me so last year in a bar of San Sebastian, and I know when somebody is lying to me. The gossips confirm he's happy now aswell. He has said the typical respect words towards a club he likes, nothing more.

My point is that the fact that Henry talked highly about our crowd and our club, doesn't mean he's unsettled in his current club, nor that we'll sign him up.

by **stmichael** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 1:36 pm

I have to admit though that Alonso hasn't exactly been setting the world on fire recently. This season he's been pretty average and last season was pretty similar. Throughout 04-05 I thought we had something really special but I haven't seen it often enough since. Having said that, Alonso would have looked miles better if the wide players actually did something with the ball when he feeds them.

I think his future depends a lot depends on what Benitez wants him to do. He's wasted in his current role. Played higher up the pitch and given a bit more freedom and I think he'd be a lot more effective (Actually, you could say the same for most of our players...), but £16m for a holding midfielder who isn't exaclty doing a great deal is a crazy price imo.

I like Alonso, but somewhere along the line I think some people have started to believe the hype rather than the actual performances and what he gives to the team.

I still maintain that I wouldn't sell him though unless we get a decent player in exchange or we get offered ridiculous money.

by **Sabre** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 1:42 pm

I like Alonso, but somewhere along the line I think some people have started to believe the hype rather than the actual performances and what he gives to the team.

The problem with the hype and english press is that they talked highly about Alonso when he scored from long range, and that's not his game really. I think he's been quite consisten in what is his natural role, holding midfielder and game organiser.

The best praises on Alonso have come after one of his goal, and that's not what his game is about.

by **Effes** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 1:58 pm

stmichael wrote:some people have started to believe the hype rather than the actual performances

.

Agree there, I wouldn't be too upset if we were to get good money for him.

I dont think we can play 2 defensive central midfielders and win the league.

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