Liverpool FC Forum

by **SupitsJonF** » Thu May 29, 2008 6:19 pm

heimdall wrote:Given the choice I would much rather have Barry than Xabi, he was not the same player last season and we already have too many central midfielders, its good wingers that we need.
I fail to understand why everyone is so sad to see Xabi leave it's life people, plus most football clubs have to sell before they can buy, where else do you imagine all the money comes from, some people on here live in cloud f%&king cuckoo land when it concerns money for transfers!

Too many central midfielders? Given the new formation what central midfielders did we have?

-Masch
-Alonso
-Lucas

Thats three, since Gerrard is playing a free role behind Torres. That isn't a lot of central midfielders too me, and even if your talking about the younger ones they aren't ready for the big premier games yet. So we sell Alonso, and get Barry. Now we have:
-Masch
-Barry
-Lucas

Where the fu.ck are our subs? The difference between us and the top three teams minus one or two world class players is depth on our bench. This is why the Americans need to go, so we can keep players like Xabi and buy players like Barry. One injury and we could be severely :censored:

.

by **Penguins** » Thu May 29, 2008 10:27 pm

Just love reading this.

Every damn soul knows we are broke and that Hicks and Gillet are swine who will not put a penny into the club.
But then knowing this full well becomes angry/surprised we might have to sell to buy.

Alonso is the most marketable player we might be able spare who could give us some real money.
Add 1+1 and you normally get 2. How hard can it be?

Accept the reality instead of being stubborn.
Until those 2 jokers are off this is how it will be.

And we can't just sell off like 5 players in one go just so we can keep Alonso. We must have depth in your squad so selling
Crouch, Risse, Pennant, etc etc just isn't an option.

by **SupitsJonF** » Thu May 29, 2008 10:33 pm

You contradicted your post when you talk about depth and selling Alonso. But hey, w/e.

We will still have the same amount of CM's, and the same cruddy bench players to go along with it. But I know in these current stances its hard to keep Alonso and sign Barry.

by **Sabre** » Thu May 29, 2008 10:37 pm

If Barry is as good as Hamman was, should he has to replace Alonso's rol, as a football fan, I'll feel safe when it comes to the holding midfielder position. If he's as good as Hamman then we have proper back up for Mascherano on that position.

Can I expect that? (I don't know Barry well)

by **Kharhaz** » Thu May 29, 2008 10:56 pm

I watched Barry and Gerrard play together for England the other night and they linked up very well, but in fairness Barry did well with everyone when he came on. He would be a good signing but if it means losing Alonso then no deal for me. Ok Alonso hasnt been at his best but the new season offers a seasons experience for Torres, Babel and Macherano. Therefore if the movement is there because of the experience these players have gained Alonso will see it and shine once more because, when it comes to spotting the best pass Alonso is one of the best.

by **anti-hero** » Thu May 29, 2008 10:57 pm

ALONSO LEAVING?

NO WAY JOSE!

I HAVE A BAD FEELING LETTING HIM GO IS GONNA MAKE US REGRET IT.

by **Scottbot** » Fri May 30, 2008 12:29 am

I'll be dissapointed to see him go. That youtube vid of him shredding Tottenham a few years back is really what he is all about. I'll never forget his BEST performance for the club against Juve at their place in the Delle Alpi and I guess they didn't either, absolutely ran that game after coming back from a 3 month injury break, the lad was awesome. Great player, great servant + it's clear he loves the supporters and understands what the club is all about. He'll be missed if it goes through. I really hope Rafa knows what he is doing with the Barry transfer because he has really :censored:

off O'neil and I expect we will end up spending the Alonso money (or the equavilent in players) to get him. Fortunately Barry is a quality player (one we should have bought a year or two ago for about 10 million less) and I think he will come in and do a good job.

by **LFC2007** » Fri May 30, 2008 12:39 am

If we intend to sell Alonso, then signing Barry first would be a good idea, otherwise we might end up in a pretty poor bargaining position.

Juventus appear keen on a deal now, and perhaps they aren't prepared to wait until we've sorted out a deal for Barry - they're pursuing alternatives to Alonso. One would hope Juventus don't try and play hardball over Alonso (knowing that we'd need to sell) after the hypothetical deal for Barry is complete.

Villa will understand the situation and they're under no pressure to get a deal done whereas we might be.

by **Scottbot** » Fri May 30, 2008 12:43 am

Just been onto the offal and looked back at a 2-0 win away to sunderland in 2005. Alonso set up both goals (for Garcia and Gerrard) with 2 amazing passes. unfortunately you need an eseason ticket to watch em so the link will only work if you've got it (i think)

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/estc2/premium/index.php3?channel_id=10

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/estc2/premium/index.php3?channel_id=10

by **Penguins** » Fri May 30, 2008 1:55 am

And having to go back to 2005 to see Alonso at his best says most things about the situation.

When it comes to Barry, the price will be extortionate no matter if we sell Alonso 1st or not.

1st if we buy Barry 1st Juventus will know we would be in desperate need to sell. And Italians will make sure they pay minimum.
And please let's make 1 thing certain. We must sell if we buy Barry.

2nd of all Villa is not a top club, so when top clubs come and make bid for their players, it is usually their best and plays regurlarly so they will cost a fortune no matter the circumstance. Like for example when Totteham bought Bent.

But when a top club/ambitious club/club with money/ sells
players it is never the players who has played most during the season/had the best form etc etc which means they will never be able to get fortunes for the outgoing players.
Like for example with Bent at Totteham. If they would sell him now, which they maybe will they would not even get close to 16 million for him. Same with Crouch.

We can go on about quality and other subjective values, but what matter is how important the player is for its club, which the stats and season apperances will tell.

by **Kharhaz** » Fri May 30, 2008 2:05 am

And having to go back to 2005 to see Alonso at his best says most things about the situation.

The same could be said for many players still present at the club who played in the final in Istanbul, I say that as im presuming you have a one track mind. 2 Goals from his own half since then. Or are you of the opinion that he is a one season wonder? Or of the opinion that some players never have a bad game but alonso always does? There are a few games this season gone when even Gerrard has looked poor or is it simply down to pick on the one player who everyone else is picking on. If you are struggling to post a reply, I refer you to the Kuyt thread, you will feel right at home there.

by **ConnO'var** » Fri May 30, 2008 2:49 am

Kharhaz wrote:
And having to go back to 2005 to see Alonso at his best says most things about the situation.

The same could be said for many players still present at the club who played in the final in Istanbul, I say that as im presuming you have a one track mind. 2 Goals from his own half since then. Or are you of the opinion that he is a one season wonder? Or of the opinion that some players never have a bad game but alonso always does? There are a few games this season gone when even Gerrard has looked poor or is it simply down to pick on the one player who everyone else is picking on. If you are struggling to post a reply, I refer you to the Kuyt thread, you will feel right at home there.

Good post, mate.

Agreed with that in the main.

Alonso is class and we should not forget his past contributions. While he has been below his best in the last 2 seasons, the question that begs to be answered is "Why?".

For me it's a combination of factors.

1. Injury.
2. Opponents having sussed out his style of play.
3. The way we're set-up.
4. Struggling to cope with the physical style of the premeirship.
4. Incompatibility with Gerrard... to a certain extent.
5. Insufficient outlet on the wings thus restricting his "options and possibilities".... (

Sorry... couldn't resist)
6. Or maybe just a loss of form and confidence.

The follow-on questions are then obvious... what needs to be changed to get the old Alonso back and do we have the resources or the luxury of time to do the needful?

These are not easy questions to answer and with the rubbish that's been going on with the ownership and financial issues right now..... in my heart of hearts, I would probably say that we don't.

At the end of the day, I would say almost all of the fans would be upset if Xabi was to go (myself included) but the issue is what's best for the club in the near to mid term future.

If it's true, as most suspect, that we have to sell before we can buy, then one of our most in-demand assets that we have IS Xabi.... plus he's playing in central midfield where we do have an abundance of riches and likely will have more options if the Barry purchase does go through.

The immediate need is for flankers, be it in attack or defence. If it means that Xabi has to go for us to fill those positions in adequately, then it is with great reluctance that I would say we'll have to let him go for the greater good of the club. There's a real chance that this will bite us in the @rse in the future but what choice do we have with the situation being what it is at the club?

However, if we do sell Xabi and then decide not to strengthen the flanks with the funds from his purchase, I will PERSONALLY fly back home and plant my size 13s up the crevices of the gentlemen responsible.

by **Toffeehater** » Fri May 30, 2008 4:56 am

Xabi Alonso resigned to end of Anfield career

May 29 2008 by Nick Smith, Liverpool Daily Post
Xabi Alonso

Xabi Alonso (158)

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.”

by **Owzat** » Fri May 30, 2008 6:55 am

Comments I read suggesting Rafa wants to secure Barry before letting Xabi go make sense, no good selling Xabi if Barry's going to cost more or if we might fail altogether to get Barry. I'd rather keep Xabi, but certainly wouldn't sell him with a view to signing Barry.

by **Sabre** » Fri May 30, 2008 1:10 pm

Yesterday I didn't like the 16M pounds figure. You know, when we go to a Everton sized team like Espanyol, and they tell us that an amount like that is not enough for a player like Riera, I find a bit hasty to get rid of Alonso without putting a fight in the negotiations in order to get extra money. They do that when we want to buy other players, no?

That was yesterday. Today I like the 16M figure even less, when it comes to Liverpool. Because I've learned that Xabi Alonso's former club will get 20% of any profit of Xabi's transfer. The 20% is over the profit, not the total transfer. He has that kind of clause. I hope, as some people has suggested, that this hastyness is because Rafa wants to move quickly to get a major piece for the team.

I hope.

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