The incredible Xabi Alonso thread 2009.

[Mystic]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=33578.msg914219#msg914219 date=1248870442]
[quote author=Hansern link=topic=33578.msg914196#msg914196 date=1248868325]
Do we really need a replacement for Arby? Thats Johnson. If he gets injured, we have Degen and Darby.
If Dossena leaves we have Insua and Aurelio, even Agger. Worst case scenario Buchtmann and Mavinga. Young yes, but Id rather give them a chance then buy some old back up has been.
A direct replacement for Alonso and a new attacking player/striker, would make our squad better than last year.

The big question is how the replacement for Xabi will adapt.

Johnson is a huge improvent on Arby imho, we've signed the best rb in the league.
[/quote]

I disagree with most of this. Borussia's supporters were delighted to get rid of Degen, not even all of Darby's fans think he's ready, same for Insua, Aurelio's injury record makes him a risk, Agger's needed in the middle now Sami's left, and neither Buchtmann nor Mavinga is anywhere near ready for the first team. We could be on thin ice at fullback without Arbeloa, especially on the right, where Johnson (who I'm happy with but who isn't as good defensively as Arbeloa, and who I wouldn't rank ahead of Boswinga) doesn't seem to me to have reliable cover yet. It may turn out that we had to do the Arbeloa deal now, but let's not pretend there aren't risks attached.
[/quote]

Sorry but anyone who doesn't think Insua is ready yet is a fool. He came in for 10-15 games last season and player very well, and in some respects could be considered one of the better left backs in the league. Theres more to come from Insua, and between him and Aurelio were sorted for years. Johnson and Degen has me worried a bit though, i'd rather stick Carragher out there than play Degen.

 

[Squiggles]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

We only need one experienced defender who's versatile.

We should be getting £8-10M from the Arbeloa and Dossena sales, so it should be a reasonably easy pick up for Benitez. It would be preferable if this defender was more at home on the left-side of the pitch.

 

[Jack D Rips]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

IMO, in Johnson, we have a better and equally versatile plater than Arby. We also have the same cover in that position as last season with Darby and Spearing being a year more experienced. I suspect Rafa will see this sale as knocking £3.5m off Johnsons fee, rather that using it to replace Arby

 

[FreshRed]

Is Fergie hoping Xabi goes?

Soiunds like he is begging Real to up their offer:

From BBC:

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has renewed his war of words with Real Madrid, this time over their summer transfer spree.

"They will have plenty of problems with balance," he said. "I told Ronaldo before he flew out that he will end up playing centre-half because I don't think they have one. I don't envy (Real coach Manuel) Pellegrini picking his team. "

 

[Wilko7]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

MARK LAWRENSON: Selling Xabi Alonso will not ruin Liverpool FC's title bid

THOSE fans in Thailand certainly made their feelings clear to Xabi Alonso on the issue of whether they wanted him to stay at Liverpool or not.

And they were right in urging him to make a decision. But what they don’t realise is, it doesn’t matter what he says either way.

If he stays, great. He proved last season that he can rise above all the transfer talk and deliver top class performances.

If he goes? Well, all I would say is, if you’re going to go, go now.

The disruption caused by Alonso’s departure can be minimal but only if the saga isn’t allowed to drag on, certainly not into the new season.

The last thing Rafael Benitez needs is the type of scenario Arsenal had for years with Patrick Vieira, one of those tedious ‘is he, isn’t he?’ situations.

If Real Madrid want him so much then and the player wants to join them, the deal should be pushed through as soon as possible.

Because I don’t think selling Alonso will have a detrimental effect on any potential title challenge for next season.

The existing players won’t be affected. They have the confidence and belief that they can challenge Manchester United and will carry that into the new campaign regardless. Selling Alonso might give the supporters a bit of a headache on how the manager replaces him – but I actually think it gives Benitez the opportunity to make his side a more potent attacking threat.

I know Benitez has previously denied interest in David Villa but this player, or someone of his ilk, would be ideal I think, once the money from any sale of Alonso is being splashed around the market.

I see absolutely no problem with Steven Gerrard dropping a hit deeper to allow a top quality striker – especially one with Villa’s understanding of Torres’s game – to add more firepower.

It’s all very well asking Gerrard to play as the back-up forward to Torres, but what happens if the Spaniard’s injury problems resurface?

Who have Liverpool currently got who can have the same impact?

Benitez might be happy with the form being shown by some of his squad strikers in this pre- season, but then David Ngog proved last year that it doesn’t necessarily translate into the real business. Krisztian Nemeth might have looked good in scoring twice the other day but this was a friendly.

It wasn’t ultra competitive and the opposition was sub-standard anyway, so it doesn’t mean he’s ready.

And if Benitez is so pleased to have “one of the best players in the German League†back in his squad, why did he let Andriy Voronin go in the first place? Because he can’t cut it, that’s why.

So I would say, let Alonso go now, take the money and, while there’s still plenty of time, spend it on someone who can turn those draws – so costly in last season’s final analysis – into victories.

Alonso might be the best passer at the club but even he hasn’t got the attacking prowess to be a genuine match-winner.

So it’s time to cash in and get someone who is.

Mark Lawrenson was talking to NICK SMITH

I KNOW I say this every year, but then that transfer window comes along every year.

Maybe it wouldn’t irritate me as much if the season started on September 1 or the summer window closed on July 31. But the season starting two weeks before the deadline is just ridiculous and disruptive.

Football must be the only business where people are told when they can buy and sell their commodities.

It’s a restraint of trade and I’m amazed the clubs and indeed the Premier League and Football League authorities just sit there quietly and put up with it.

 

[Squiggles]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

Lawenson's vastly underrating Xabi Alonso there, but I largely agree with the general tone of the article.

 

[Ryan]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

Lawrenson is the rebel23 of the BBC.

 

[Judge Jules]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

On a good day.

 

[Stulikesdrums]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Ryan link=topic=33578.msg914296#msg914296 date=1248874169]
Lawrenson is the rebel23 of the BBC.
[/quote]

Lawrenson wishes he was that clever.

 

[Squiggles]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

What's he said so wrong?

If the Alonso deal's going through it's within our interests it's done quickly. What's wrong there? Because our front line's so weak, there is a credible argument to buying a quality striker instead of a direct Xabi replacement, which Lawrenson's putting forward. Still no problem...

He may be a bit of a cunt but he doesn't deserve deriding on the basis of that article.

 

[MaBigTip]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

It wouldn't be bad but most of us are more worried about Lucas playing more than not having more striking options. But I wouldn't be opposed to having another world class player and goalscorer.

 

[Wilko7]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

I would be happy if we replace the soon to be departing Alonso by adding another match winner to the first team. It’s been suggested by some in this thread that his sole function is to receive and pass the ball and clearly he has far more to his game than that however he is not a match winner.
Compared to Utd and Chelsea, we are lacking players who can win a game on their own with individual brilliance and the more players like this in the team the better, especially when we’re trying to get past the buses parallel parked in front of certain teams’ goals nest season. We currently only have The Captain, Torres and, to a lesser extent, Yossi who can be described at match winners.

 

[Friend no. 2]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=33578.msg914232#msg914232 date=1248871257]
We only need one experienced defender who's versatile.

We should be getting £8-10M from the Arbeloa and Dossena sales, so it should be a reasonably easy pick up for Benitez. It would be preferable if this defender was more at home on the left-side of the pitch.
[/quote]

Not always easy to find an experinced, versatile defender. A player like John O' Shea would suit us perfectly (I'm not suggesting it for one minute though, as we'd never be in for him and they'd never sell to us if we were).

 

[Judge Jules]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=33578.msg914317#msg914317 date=1248875871]
What's he said so wrong?

If the Alonso deal's going through it's within our interests it's done quickly. What's wrong there? Because our front line's so weak, there is a credible argument to buying a quality striker instead of a direct Xabi replacement, which Lawrenson's putting forward. Still no problem...

He may be a bit of a cunt but he doesn't deserve deriding on the basis of that article.
[/quote]

We weren't deriding him because of the article. We were doing so because of his cnutishness.

 

[Stulikesdrums]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=33578.msg914378#msg914378 date=1248880594]
[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=33578.msg914317#msg914317 date=1248875871]
What's he said so wrong?

If the Alonso deal's going through it's within our interests it's done quickly. What's wrong there? Because our front line's so weak, there is a credible argument to buying a quality striker instead of a direct Xabi replacement, which Lawrenson's putting forward. Still no problem...

He may be a bit of a cunt but he doesn't deserve deriding on the basis of that article.
[/quote]
We weren't deriding him because of the article. We were doing so because of his cnutishness.
[/quote]
Yeah, it doesn't really matter what he says anymore, does it?
I just see a cunt these days.

 

[Peatcheo]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

Bit of bad news lads, nothing on fee etc but I have been told that Alonso has been given permission to leave, apparantly he asked
Rafa to speak to Madrid and Rafa said he would not stand in his way. He will be a Madrid player soon.

I know this is nothing new but he is gone, time to stop this mourning and look for positives and replacements.

 

[Red Mullet]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

What ? 😱

This is a bit sudden isn't it? Why didn't anyone say that Xabi will be leaving?

 

[Peatcheo]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Red Mullet link=topic=33578.msg914418#msg914418 date=1248885236]
What ? 😱

This is a bit sudden isn't it? Why didn't anyone say that Xabi will be leaving?
[/quote]

Dont be a sarcy twat.

 

[Paddy]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Peatcheo link=topic=33578.msg914416#msg914416 date=1248884909]
Bit of bad news lads, nothing on fee etc but I have been told that Alonso has been given permission to leave, apparantly he asked
Rafa to speak to Madrid and Rafa said he would not stand in his way. He will be a Madrid player soon.

I know this is nothing new but he is gone, time to stop this mourning and look for positives and replacements.
[/quote]

Cheers Peatch.

 

[gkmacca]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

Anita!

 

[Judge Jules]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

;D

 

[Stulikesdrums]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

Is this a reliable source Peatch?

 

[Peatcheo]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Stu link=topic=33578.msg914440#msg914440 date=1248887114]
Is this a reliable source Peatch?
[/quote]

I wouldnt post otherwise.

 

[livvy145]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

Can you confirm that this is indeed you and not someone else.

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Stu link=topic=33578.msg914440#msg914440 date=1248887114]
Is this a reliable source Peatch?
[/quote]

Yeah. I told youse about 2 months ago.

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=livvy185 link=topic=33578.msg914453#msg914453 date=1248888188]
Can you confirm that this is indeed you and not someone else.
[/quote]

Yeah come one Sean. What shape is the mole on my cock?

 

[Peatcheo]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=33578.msg914457#msg914457 date=1248888289]
[quote author=livvy185 link=topic=33578.msg914453#msg914453 date=1248888188]
Can you confirm that this is indeed you and not someone else.
[/quote]

Yeah come one Sean. What shape is the mole on my cock?
[/quote]

Moon shaped, thats too easy. It is actually me, not my usual imposter....honest.

 

[Mystic]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Peatcheo link=topic=33578.msg914462#msg914462 date=1248888591]
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=33578.msg914457#msg914457 date=1248888289]
[quote author=livvy185 link=topic=33578.msg914453#msg914453 date=1248888188]
Can you confirm that this is indeed you and not someone else.
[/quote]

Yeah come one Sean. What shape is the mole on my cock?
[/quote]

Moon shaped, thats too easy. It is actually me, not my usual imposter....honest.
[/quote]

lets us know if you hear anything on the fee, this is what i'm most interested in.

 

[Stulikesdrums]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Peatcheo link=topic=33578.msg914452#msg914452 date=1248888009]
[quote author=Stu link=topic=33578.msg914440#msg914440 date=1248887114]
Is this a reliable source Peatch?
[/quote]

I wouldnt post otherwise.
[/quote]

Well i'll choose to ignore it, thanks all the same horse.
Xabi will stay.

 

[monsieurdantes]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

for fucks sake. the one year we have a realistic chance at the league and we fucking do this