Liverpool FC Forum

by **JamCar05** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 12:42 pm

Sabre wrote:Alonso is going to make today his 50th Spanish cap, and he becomes the 22nd player with most games in Spain's history. At his age he'll be able to climb more positions. I just hope that if he has to live the buyer club pays according to his international status. If silly money is asked for the likes of Barry and Keane, Alonso shouldn't be less.

I really have to agree with Sabre about this part. In todays inflated transfer market a player of Alonso's stature should rightly command a high fee. Even though he might not have played as well as everyone would have liked him to these past seasons, he still is a proven international who's quite young aswell. Should actually be worth more than the 16 million Rafa reportedly wanted, when you think about other players prices this summer (not to mention the "old classic" cases about SWP and D. Bent). There's no reason our players should all be sold off for "realistic" prices, when we ourselves are being held to ransom by other clubs (first and foremost re. Barry).

by **Owzat** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 1:38 pm

JamCar05 wrote:
Sabre wrote:Alonso is going to make today his 50th Spanish cap, and he becomes the 22nd player with most games in Spain's history. At his age he'll be able to climb more positions. I just hope that if he has to live the buyer club pays according to his international status. If silly money is asked for the likes of Barry and Keane, Alonso shouldn't be less.

I really have to agree with Sabre about this part. In todays inflated transfer market a player of Alonso's stature should rightly command a high fee. Even though he might not have played as well as everyone would have liked him to these past seasons, he still is a proven international who's quite young aswell. Should actually be worth more than the 16 million Rafa reportedly wanted, when you think about other players prices this summer (not to mention the "old classic" cases about SWP and D. Bent). There's no reason our players should all be sold off for "realistic" prices, when we ourselves are being held to ransom by other clubs (first and foremost re. Barry).

Don't see what international appearances have to do with it other than show by virtue of selection that someone's a good player which should be apparent. Exception being Healy who thrives in a Norn Iron shirt and plays pants for his club.

Was GB only a good player when he started getting picked for England? Was Fowler a bad player because he didn't get that many chances for England? (in his prime) Not sure what the logic is if we sign GB and then have to fork out further hundreds of thousands based on him playing for England. It's not in our gain for him to play for England, simply an acknowledgement that he's a player good enough to play for England. Surely if he's good enough to make hundreds of appearances for a club like Liverpool that's every bit, and more, important than his international caps. After all players can pick up friendly caps for country which you don't for club.

by **Sabre** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 9:39 am

It's not in our gain for him to play for England, simply an acknowledgement that he's a player good enough to play for England

That acknowledgement increases the value of the player in most cases, so it's in our gain (in case the player is ours)

Also it's an indicator of the level of the player. Let's be honest here, it's not the same to be an Argentinian, English or Spanish international midfielder or a Norwegian one, if you reach the international status in those countries then it means at the very least you have done a good job at your club and you're good.

In Alonso's case it's 3 coaches who have picked him BECAUSE of his game in Liverpool, Aragones, Camacho and Del Bosque. He may have not been as brilliant as in the second season, but he hasn't dropped his games as much as some mates pretend.

Of course, I think Fabregas was a bit off the Mark yesterday "Me not playing in the starting eleven? Not a problem, I'm young and I have to compete with the likes of Xavi, Senna, Iniesta, and Xabi Alonso, who's probably the best CM in the world"

(it seems Fabregas is árse licking Xabi to convince him for a move).

In a nutshell, Xabi Alonso can provide more to this club. We must demand him more, he's not a newbie at the club. But Xabi Alonso hasn't ever been "average". Perhaps worse than his standards yes, but never average. He would have lost his place in Spain otherwise with the existing competition.

by **stmichael** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 1:17 pm

He looks like a different player at times when playing for Spain.

It seems that with Spain, he is surrounded by technically good players who move around all game - he always has options and this brings out the best in him because he sees the pass very early so the ball moves around the pitch very quickly when Spain attack.

Lets just hope he steps up to the plate in Gerrard's absence tomorrow, a bit like he did in the Derby a few years back after Gerrard got sent off.

by **Reg** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 4:57 pm

Alsonso was named man of the match yesterday and seems to have realised he needed to lift a gear or two over the summer.

Would Barry have played better or created more opportunities?
Is Benitez still wanting to buy Barry or find a replacement for Alonso?
Regardless, has Alonso decided that he wants to leave during the january window anyway?

If he plays like that none of us want him to go, but has he already made his mind up to leave?

by **neil** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 8:00 pm

yeah thats the Xabi Alonso from a couple of seasons ago, I'm made up he's decided to pull his finger out, if he's decided to go in the next window well thats down to him but if he watches a copy of the match yesterday and compares it to his previous 50 games I think he would agree that he hasnt been pulling his weight and that his own complacency has created the situation he currently finds himself.

by **maguskwt** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 8:21 pm

rafa would be insane to sell xabi to one of our title rivals...

by **Reg** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 8:23 pm

neil wrote:yeah thats the Xabi Alonso from a couple of seasons ago, I'm made up he's decided to pull his finger out, if he's decided to go in the next window well thats down to him but if he watches a copy of the match yesterday and compares it to his previous 50 games I think he would agree that he hasnt been pulling his weight and that his own complacency has created the situation he currently finds himself.

I quite agree but if he's fallen out with Rafa then its immaterial.
I wonder what is the state of their relationship off the field?

by **neil** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 8:40 pm

Reg wrote:
neil wrote:yeah thats the Xabi Alonso from a couple of seasons ago, I'm made up he's decided to pull his finger out, if he's decided to go in the next window well thats down to him but if he watches a copy of the match yesterday and compares it to his previous 50 games I think he would agree that he hasnt been pulling his weight and that his own complacency has created the situation he currently finds himself.

I quite agree but if he's fallen out with Rafa then its immaterial.
I wonder what is the state of their relationship off the field?

well, the state of the relationship only reflects the performances Alonso has been putting in for quite some time.Theres no doubt that his pride is hurt its a natural reaction however like I said if he watches yeaterdays game again he will realise why the manager has been dissapointed by his displays for the last 2 seasons

by **Festy** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 5:54 am

For me Xabi should be automatic starter at home if he continues to play like he did against woMan united. Still not sure about him away from home though.

by **Sabre** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 9:24 am

*scratching head*

I don't see a so much improved Alonso, honestly. I don't see that abismal difference.

The difference maybe is that the team has achieved a massive victory and a victory against archenemies just make players better?

I truly don't know where the improvement lies. Yes, perhaps he has ventured a bit more forward, but I don't see a great difference in terms of defensive work, passes that are lost, and the sense he gives to his passing. Not that in this two years you could tell Alonso was the culprit of many against goals neither. In a nutshell, Alonso isn't that good now, Alonso wasn't that poor these two years. IMHO, of course. If someone thinks like Neil that he has improved a lot, tell me where I'm wrong!

by **stmichael** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 10:34 am

Always seems to step up to the plate when Gerrard isn't in the side.

by **bigmick** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 10:37 am

I don't think he has improved massively from last season. The significant difference in his pairing with Masherano from last season was that the little Argentine got forward much more than he was doing previously. When he does, the pairing functions much better. That's not because Masherano is massively creative, nor because Alonso can do it better on his own, but simply because in English football having two holding midfielders within five yards of each other all game doesn't work.

by **nextgendesign** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 10:38 am

xabi is the king

by **bigmick** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 10:41 am

nextgendesign wrote:xabi is the king

As first posts go, it was a bit short.

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