Liverpool FC Forum

[Kukilon]

He is deffinately leaving it's just a matter of agreeing on a price now.

[Fauxy]

Reading everything he says, its pretty clear that he wants to go to Real Madrid but is happy to stay here so unless Real make a completely rediculous bid for him (which they may do), i cant see Rafa selling.

[bigmick]

I think the line about his relationship with Rafa being "professional" is the give away. He doesn't say, "we have a good relationship", he doesn't say "oh yes we get on fine". To me, saying the relationship is "professional, just like all the other players" mean "to be honest, I don't really get on with him and neither does anybody else".

[Bammo]

I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing though Mick. I remember stories about when Roy Evans was in charge and how his friendship with the players caused him problems.

If you want to be a player's friend, don't become a manager.

[NANNY RED]

Reports on Merseyside claim that Benitez is to hold clear-the-air talks with Alonso this week as the pair attempt to settle their rumoured bust-up.

No problem

The 61-time Spain cap insists he has no problem working with his current boss, who brought him to England in 2004, but has not expanded upon their association.

"My relationship with Benitez is professional, just like he has with any other player. I believe that is how things will stay too," Alonso continued.

"I am happy in England and have adapted, but I do miss certain things from Spain. I cannot rule out a move or even staying in the Premier League.

"I am happy there (England) and although I was a bit home sick at the start, I am still there.

"This situation is normal for me because I know what is actually happening, away from what is being reported. For that reason I am perfectly calm."

If he knows whats happening then wtf doesnt he put me out my misery, Bit selfish imo there Xabi,

[LFC4allseasons]

Reports on Merseyside claim that Benitez is to hold clear-the-air talks with Alonso this week as the pair attempt to settle their rumoured bust-up.

No problem

The 61-time Spain cap insists he has no problem working with his current boss, who brought him to England in 2004, but has not expanded upon their association.

"My relationship with Benitez is professional, just like he has with any other player. I believe that is how things will stay too," Alonso continued.

"I am happy in England and have adapted, but I do miss certain things from Spain. I cannot rule out a move or even staying in the Premier League.

"I am happy there (England) and although I was a bit home sick at the start, I am still there.

"This situation is normal for me because I know what is actually happening, away from what is being reported. For that reason I am perfectly calm."

If he knows whats happening then wtf doesnt he put me out my misery, Bit selfish imo there Xabi,

Not wisest choice of words there Xabi lad. Mentioning you can't rule out a move to a Premiership club will have people in a frenzy over Man City or Arsenal.

[NANNY RED]

Ah fecking hell Xabi met his agent an some Madrid officials last night in Madrid in the Hotel Melia Barajas . absolutly gutted here 

[RobinHood6969]

Ah fecking hell Xabi met his agent an some Madrid officials last night in Madrid in the Hotel Melia Barajas . absolutly gutted here 

Oh  

[Festy]

Ah fecking hell Xabi met his agent an some Madrid officials last night in Madrid in the Hotel Melia Barajas . absolutly gutted here 

These private hotel meetings never end on a good note for people outside the hotels. Xabi's situation may well get worse for us now.    

[heimdall]

Bye Bye Xabi, thanks for all the great memories, hope you have another 3 seasons run for Real Madrid.
Now then who do we replace him with and does this mean that we might be able to put in a bid for Villa?

[Festy]

Bye Bye Xabi, thanks for all the great memories, hope you have another 3 seasons run for Real Madrid.
Now then who do we replace him with and does this mean that we might be able to put in a bid for Villa?

Won't a world class midfielder be a priority for us now that Xabi has gone ?

[Fauxy]

Well if he does go we could drop Gerrard back into midfield alongside Mascherano but still let him have a free role to move forward and buy a world class striker so we can play 4-4-2

[heimdall]

Bye Bye Xabi, thanks for all the great memories, hope you have another 3 seasons run for Real Madrid.
Now then who do we replace him with and does this mean that we might be able to put in a bid for Villa?

Won't a world class midfielder be a priority for us now that Xabi has gone ?

Not necessarily, I think we have Benayoun, Lucas and Spearing who can come in and do a job, ok not as good as Xabi but not that much worse either and in some ways offering more attacking thrust and then if we had a top notch second striker/AM we could put Stevie back into midfield when needed.

[Festy]

Bye Bye Xabi, thanks for all the great memories, hope you have another 3 seasons run for Real Madrid.
Now then who do we replace him with and does this mean that we might be able to put in a bid for Villa?

Won't a world class midfielder be a priority for us now that Xabi has gone ?

Not necessarily, I think we have Benayoun, Lucas and Spearing who can come in and do a job, ok not as good as Xabi but not that much worse either and in some ways offering more attacking thrust and then if we had a top notch second striker/AM we could put Stevie back into midfield when needed.

Yossi will be too lightweight in the center midfield. And why break the world class partnership of Torres-Gerrard 'once again' ? We have already seen the consequences ones. Secondly, since when Villa has turned into a second striker ? and what if one of them get a long term injury ? and what when we decide to sub one or both of them ? Do we have a good enough backup strikers then to continue the 4-4-2 formation ? From time to time in the season, we'll need to switch to 4-5-1 and 4-2-3-1 for obvious reasons, who will be third quality midfielder in that case ? Lucas ? Spearing ? I'm sorry but they are not good enough for a title winning side.

[bigmick]

Not necessarily, I think we have Benayoun, Lucas and Spearing who can come in and do a job, ok not as good as Xabi but not that much worse either and in some ways offering more attacking thrust and then if we had a top notch second striker/AM we could put Stevie back into midfield when needed.

"Not much worse either"    Come on mate, lets be serious for a second. Spearing doesn't even come into the equation, nor does Yossi in central midfield either. lucas? Look, I've been more than prepared to point out that Xabi's form had slipped, that some posters were overstating his importance etc, but that's just off the wall.

If Alonso leaves, we have two options. Either we move Gerrard back, or we sign a top-class central midfielder. You could add toghether the best bits of Lucas, Banayoun and Spearing, and you'd still be a country mile short. Come on, you know this is true?