Liverpool FC Forum

by **DonnieDarko** » Wed May 28, 2008 7:39 pm

Selling Alonso would be mental. He's a good player and wants to stay. I think aquiring Barry for Alonso would just be moving sideways plus we would probably lose a few million pounds.

I don't understand Benetez's obsession with central midfielders. We have four good ones. He needs to leave it be and get wide players because our current players are substandard.

by **Toffeehater** » Wed May 28, 2008 7:52 pm

Ciggy wrote:
Bamaga man wrote:Like John 'Jerry' Craig said,

We shouldnt be billing up Alonso as a magnificient performer for us, he hasnt been at the races for a while now.

Some people are acting like we're selling the best player to ever grace Anfield.

Opinions are like @rseholes everyone has one, I think this transfer is feckin pathetic and I am not atall happy about it.

Why keep a player who has not been in form for the last 3 seasons and their are clubs after him willing to pay more then what we signed him for?

by **NANNY RED** » Wed May 28, 2008 8:02 pm

Ciggy wrote:
*Juventino* wrote:Hi to you all my dear friends!

Don't angry, but i really hope to see Xabi with us next year!
I hope too Riise.

For me it was an error to sell us Sissoko in january.

It will be an even bigger error selling Alonso now, Id like to know who is behind this decision cause its a sh!t one.

If he goes Cigg ill be devastated my fav player hes only 26 ffs not even reached his peak,

Them two Bast.ards are behind this mark my words id put my morgage on it. I cant see Raffa wanting to sell him unless hes been told to. And as for Barry coming in as a replacment and loads of people made up well in my eyes hes no way better than Xabi not a chance

Gutted if he goes i cant hate them :censored:

anymore than i already do

By the way Saint you understand this more than me but why do we need to sell one of our better players to raise cash to bring just average players Wheres the TV money and the Champions league money

by **Sabre** » Wed May 28, 2008 8:08 pm

s@int wrote:ALONSO MASTERCLASS

Incredible range of passing and control, but look at how much time and space he had. When was the last time Alonso was free so often?

You said that yesterday!

Come on S@int, he played very well for instance in the Arsenal second game, but nowadays his good games are forgotten soon enough.

Xabi is a better player than 4 years ago because he has learned a lot in his experience in England. He's a better player than in San Sebastian.

You like more Mascherano? Again, that's fair enough. But in some of the below par opinions, there's the effect that at the beginning he impressed and people went oooh aaaah, and then they simply got used to it. (1)

Mascherano, a top top midfielder, might suffer the same effect, just as Alonso was the pass maestro, he's the monster. Give him 3 years and you'll start reading here things like "He doesn't score enough goals".

Note that I'm not saying Alonso is the best player we have, nor a genius, nothing like that, I'm just saying in his first year was overrated, and now he's underrated.

(1) It happens everywhere, not just here. Look Sissoko.

by **Ciggy** » Wed May 28, 2008 8:20 pm

An update from Italy on Alonso ( from calciomercato.com
Apparently Alonso's agent had a meeting today with Juve which lasted for some hours. The player will probably accept a 4 year deal at 3.5 million euro a year. There is still disagreement about the transfer fee. Juve are offering 18million euro, liverpool are asking 25 millio euro.

18.30 Trattativa fiume tra Inaki Ibanez e i dirigenti della Juve. L'agente di Xabi Alonso ha lasciato la sede bianconera solo nel pomeriggio. Voci di corridoio inducono all'ottimismo: sull'ingaggio (quattro anni a 3,5 milioni) le parti sembrano vicine. Resta da trattare il cartellino con il Liverpool, i reds vorrebbero circa 25 milioni, la Juve ne offre 18

by **account deleted by request** » Wed May 28, 2008 8:35 pm

Alonso may very well be a better player now Sabre , the point is he isn't being allowed to play as well, and hasn't found a way to overcome the problem. This has nothing to do with Mascherano, I was saying exactly the same thing before Masch came, its just more people seem to agree with me now than they did then. I certainly don't think he has played as bad as some people seem to think, but neither do I think he has played as well (or been allowed to play as well) as he did in his first couple of seasons.

I liked Sissoko and would have liked him to stay, but I have to admit that his performances dropped off. Same with Alonso, I would like him to stay, but he hasn't played great for a long while.

I think he is being sold not to buy Barry but to raise money for other signings, I think Rafa hopes to replace Alonso by exchanging players for Barry. i.e. sell Alonso for £15million and buy a winger for £10million. Then exchange Crouch, Carson and maybe £4/5million for Barry.

If we have no money, its the only way and Alonso is the obvious candidate?

I certainly don't think selling Alonso just to buy Barry makes much sense, so thats my new theory anyway lol.

by **Sabre** » Wed May 28, 2008 8:38 pm

Needless to say, I don't think that my explanation is the whole story. Of course the other managers are not idiots and take measures against every player, of course Alonso's been more closely watched, and of course that makes his game more difficult. But in Football nothing is for free eh? if you pay close attention to Alonso, you'll pay the toll somewhere else.

And yes, if we need money, and we want to get a decent amount, Alonso is probably the best candidate due to his quality, reputation, and the fact we don't have problems of quality depth in midfield.

by **account deleted by request** » Wed May 28, 2008 8:42 pm

Sabre wrote:Needless to say, I don't think that my explanation is the whole story. Of course the other managers are not idiots and take measures against every player, of course Alonso's been more closely watched, and of course that makes him his game more difficult. But in Football nothing is for free eh? if you pay close attention to Alonso, you'll pay the toll somewhere else.

And yes, if we need money, and we want to get a decent amount, Alonso is probably the best candidate due to his quality, reputation, and the fact we don't have problems of quality depth in midfield.

Nothings for free in football mate but unfortunately with our CB's (excluding Agger) not being able to carry the ball or pass very well, its almost for free. Why ask a player to pressurise the CB's who can't do you damage, when you can tell him to pressurise Alonso who CAN.

by **tubby** » Wed May 28, 2008 8:54 pm

I hope we at least manage to get 20 Million Euros for him. Im quite sad to see him going and cant help but think if we were not backed into a corner financially wise then he would not be going. In any case it seems like the deal is done now so good luck Xabi. I still think on his day he is a better passer of the ball than Stevie.

Ah well at least now I have an excuse to start watching Italian Football again.

by **SundanceKid** » Thu May 29, 2008 5:10 am

Sabre wrote:
s@int wrote:ALONSO MASTERCLASS

Incredible range of passing and control, but look at how much time and space he had. When was the last time Alonso was free so often?

You said that yesterday!

Come on S@int, he played very well for instance in the Arsenal second game, but nowadays his good games are forgotten soon enough.

Xabi is a better player than 4 years ago because he has learned a lot in his experience in England. He's a better player than in San Sebastian.

You like more Mascherano? Again, that's fair enough. But in some of the below par opinions, there's the effect that at the beginning he impressed and people went oooh aaaah, and then they simply got used to it. (1)

Mascherano, a top top midfielder, might suffer the same effect, just as Alonso was the pass maestro, he's the monster. Give him 3 years and you'll start reading here things like "He doesn't score enough goals".

Note that I'm not saying Alonso is the best player we have, nor a genius, nothing like that, I'm just saying in his first year was overrated, and now he's underrated.

(1) It happens everywhere, not just here. Look Sissoko.

Well said

by **SupitsJonF** » Thu May 29, 2008 5:13 am

I'm heartbroken he is leaving, pretty much against his will too

.

If i had to guess I would think Torres would be a bit upset as well.

by **Ciggy** » Thu May 29, 2008 7:18 am

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/05/29/ufnalonso129.xml

Liverpool's Xabi Alonso on way to Juventus

By Charlie Caroe
Last Updated: 6:56am BST 29/05/2008

Liverpool's Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso appears to be on his way from Merseyside after his agent Inaki Ibanez spent five hours in negotiations in Italy.

Alonso, 26, whose appearances in a Liverpool shirt have been limited this season after the arrival of Argentine Javier Mascherano, looks likely to join Juventus in a £16 million deal.

Liverpool's Xabi Alonso on way to Juventus
Buon viaggio: Rafael Benitez seems prepared to part company with Xabi Alonso, his first signing at Liverpool

Claudio Ranieri's side are thought to be offering the Spaniard a four-year deal, although they are known to be reluctant to meet Liverpool's price despite both clubs being keen to finalise a deal.

Juventus president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli said: "We can't deny our interest.

"But it's important we get value for money.

"Managing director Jean-Claude Blanc is working on this and on other possibilities."

Rafael Benitez is known to be eager to complete Alonso's move so he can concentrate his efforts on capturing the signature of Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry.

The Basque footballer was Benitez's first signing at Anfield four years ago in a £10.5 million transfer from Real Sociedad.

Alonso has scored 12 goals in 136 appearances for Liverpool, and played in their remarkable Champions League final comeback against AC Milan in 2005, scoring the third goal, after missing from the penalty spot.

Juventus have also been linked with Frank Lampard, Werder Bremen's Diego and Chelsea target Rafael Van der Vaart.

by **redsince2001** » Thu May 29, 2008 7:42 am

hmm..if there's any truth to that then 16m is a decent price for him . lets hope we can get barry for less than that .and get another winger ..preferably bently . while alonso maybe a more gifted passer of the ball than barry and maybe he's technically better BUT maybe .......just MAYBE barry is more suited to the premier league ... Alonso ... ALL THE BEST !!

by **Ciggy** » Thu May 29, 2008 7:44 am

Alonso resigned to end of Anfield career

May 29 2008 by Nick Smith, Liverpool Daily Post

XABI ALONSO appears ready to accept that his Liverpool days are numbered – with Juventus hoping to close in on his signature this week.

Although Alonso’s agent insists that a decision won’t be made until after Euro 2008, he is due to meet officials from the Serie A club today with a view to discussing terms for the 26-year-old midfielder.

The sticking point in the deal remains the value of the Spain international, who is currently preparing for the European Championships with his country.

Liverpool have told Juventus that they must raise £16million for Alonso, who cost £10.5m when Rafael Benitez brought him from Real Sociedad in 2004.

Representatives of the Italian club have already met Anfield officials to outline their intention to prise the playmaker away but they don’t want to fork out more than £14m for him.

Juve president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli said: “We can’t deny that we’re interested, but there’s always the problem of getting value for money.

“Managing director Jean-Claude Blanc is working on this and on other possibilities.”

Although Liverpool are in no rush to sell and Alonso has previously revealed he is happy to stay, he is beginning to come to terms with his future lying away from Anfield.

Agent Inaki Ibanez said: “I have a clear idea, namely Liverpool would like to sell. But we must first speak with Rafa Benitez.

“We’ll decide after the European Championships.”

Alonso struggled to produce his best form last season, when he was sidelined with a broken foot then used in a more withdrawn role behind Benitez’s attacking quartet.

With Javier Mascherano a fixture in the holding midfield position and Benitez pursuing Gareth Barry, there is no guarantee of Alonso being a first-team regular if he does remain on Merseyside.

Juventus coach Claudio Ranieri is keen to pair him alongside his former Liverpool team-mate Momo Sissoko when the Turin side kick-off next season.

Meanwhile, Gabriel Agbonlahor has become the latest to urge Villa skipper Barry to pledge his future to the club.

England under-21s striker Agbonlahor admitted he would be unlikely to look to move away from Villa after making massive improvements under Martin O’Neill during the past two seasons.

And O’Neill is ready to offer new deals to the likes of Barry, Agbonlahor and Ashley Young this summer after helping Villa finish sixth in the Barclays Premier League.

The lure of Liverpool means Barry could be the most difficult to hold on to – but Agbonlahor believes Villa can break into the top four and provide him with the Champions League football he desires.

“It’s important to keep Gareth,” Agbonlahor said.

“The gaffer knows how key Barry has been to us this season but you can’t stop what can happen so hopefully he will stay because it’s important.

“Gareth has improved as well. He has been on top form for the last two seasons and, if he can stay, it will be a plus for us.

“Breaking into the top four in the next few years is what we want. We know it’s going to be hard but, if we get the right squad, then we’re capable of doing anything we want to do. Hopefully we can push on next season.”

http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpo....0989166

by **laza** » Thu May 29, 2008 7:46 am

Very disappointed if this transfer goes ahead which is looking more likely and not just because I rate the player.

If we need to sell a player like that to fund our transfer kitty, I really cant see us being able to build a squad to make a serious tilt at holy grail. It wont really matter who manager is, what zone your defender is in, how many asthamatic antelopes you have left in the side , who is a rotary club member. We just going to come up a couple of players short.

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