Posted:
Sun Dec 19, 2004 11:05 pmby the great one
Can't u just paste them and lock the existing Gerrard threads ?
Posted:
Mon Dec 20, 2004 4:16 pmby The_Rock
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/sporttop/tm_objectid=14990542%26method=full%26siteid=50143%26headline=xabi%2dto%2dgerrard%2d%2dreds%2dare%2dready%2dto%2drumble-name_page.html
XABI TO GERRARD: REDS ARE READY TO RUMBLE
XABI Alonso believes that Liverpool are at the start of a glorious adventure.
And the cultured Spanish international has pleaded with skipper Steven Gerrard to be patient, as manager Rafael Benitez plots an Anfield revival.
Alonso understands Gerrard's desire to win trophies. But he insists there is no quick fix at Liverpool.
"I hear what Stevie is saying and I understand him," said Alonso. "He feels he is at a time in his career when he needs to be winning trophies and you can sympathise with that.
"I don't know if we can do it quickly enough for him here. Stevie is like everyone in that he wants to win honours - but we have just started a new project with a new manager and that takes time.
"Stevie, Jamie Carragher and Sami Hyypia have won things already and they want more. Of course they want to do well this year because they have tasted it. But when you are at the start of a new project then you need patience.
"It is a new adventure for Liverpool with a new manager who is bringing in new ideas. That takes time, there is no way around it."
Gerrard, of course, has made it clear that he feels he cannot wait around for another three or four years while Benitez sorts out the mess he inherited.
The Anfield skipper will be 28 by then, with his peak years ticking down, and he is desperate to start winning trophies immediately.
Gerrard - like Michael Owen did - has the option of moving to the cream of Europe's clubs and it seems likely he will do so in the summer, with Chelsea, Arsenal and Real Madrid already options for him.
Alonso recognises that his midfield partner could easily depart at the end of the season, leaving the manager with an even more daunting task.
But the Spanish international is not worried by the prospect of losing another of Liverpool's best players. Instead, he believes the new manager will take it in his stride.
"I understand what Stevie says and I support the same sentiments. But at the same time I know in my own situation I have to be patient," he said.
"I don't want to say that Stevie will leave - we will see what happens. I still believe we can achieve success here at Anfield.
"Who knows what will happen, even this season? We are still in four competitions and we really do think that we can beat anyone in the draw in the Champions League. I hope we can win things this season. I am confident we will do well and we can achieve what Stevie wants, and what everyone wants.
"The manager and his coaches know what we need, they know what they have to do and where they have to take us. I believe in them. I believe it will happen. We need patience but it will happen."Alonso indulged in a spot of football fantasy on Thursday, when he attended the launch in Liverpool of EA Sports' new video soccer game, FIFA 2005.
On the PlayStation, Liverpool won every game, brushing aside Arsenal and Manchester United in the process, which brought a smile to the 23-year-old's face.
In reality they have a depressing distance to travel to match the big two, and compete with Chelsea's millions in the Premiership, let alone the giants of Europe. But the Champions League draw was kind to them yesterday, pitting the Merseyside club against Bayer Leverkusen.
Alonso is simply hoping he can cope with the physical demands of the Premiership in his debut season, and learn from the experience.
Alonso has been dropped from several big games by Benitez, including the Merseyside derby and the Champions League visit to Monaco.
But he accepts the manager's decision and believes it is all part of a bigger adventure that will ultimately conclude in glory, beginning with tomorrow's visit of Newcastle to Anfield.
"I want to play every game and I am upset when I am not selected but this is football," he explained.
Posted:
Mon Dec 20, 2004 4:24 pmby Ola Mr Benitez
Alonso is class on and off the pitch.. a true star and a future Liverpool legend!!!
Posted:
Mon Dec 20, 2004 9:37 pmby andy_g
it keeps escaping my attention that he is only 23, he shows such maturity on and off the pitch. hopefully he'll stay with us for a number of years, maybe as a future captain. he's gonna look great hoisting that CL trophy over his head.
anyway, this is meant to be a stevie g thread, right JBG? so i'll stop adding to the digression!
Posted:
Tue Dec 21, 2004 9:39 amby Redrider
From todays Guardian :
Reds reject Gerrard tie-in for Morientes
Dominic Fifield
Tuesday December 21, 2004
The Guardian
Liverpool are to resist Real Madrid's attempts to include a first option on Steven Gerrard in the deal which is ultimately expected to see Fernando Morientes swap Spain for Merseyside.
Negotiations between the two clubs over the transfer of the Spanish international striker are ongoing, with Liverpool's opening bid of £3.5m having been swiftly rejected. Real now intend to push for a deal which would see Morientes as a makeweight to secure a first option on Gerrard should the midfielder leave Anfield, though the Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry will resist when talks resume today.
The club's board will not countenance Gerrard's future being included at any stage of the deal involving Morientes, even if their refusal to consider that possibility effectively ups the price they have to pay for the 28-year-old and prolongs negotiations. Instead they remain confident that a compromise can still be reached with Real before the opening of the transfer window next month.
Typical of the cheek of Real Madrid, every time we do business with that club they try to pi$$ all over us, Parry must dread negotiations with them.
Posted:
Tue Dec 21, 2004 9:45 amby wet echo
couldnt agree more,i think if we open the door slightly with this and let them in on Gerrard he will be gone,so tell them to fook off
(to think that he is the club's CAPTAIN!!)