The incredible Xabi Alonso thread 2009.

[Whaddapie]

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

[quote author=Anita link=topic=33578.msg915132#msg915132 date=1248965135]
Honestly Whaddapie, I can't be bothered with this. You're not gonna change my mind and I don't really care about changing yours.


[/quote]

Right back at ya... There are none so blind as those who will not see. If Xabi told you up was down, you'd not hear a word against it.

 

[LadyRed]

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

Anyway someone I know who works in the media reckons he spoke to someone at the club this morning and it looks like £15million plus Snieder and Van Der Vaart.

Just passing on what I've heard.

That makes me feel a lot better.

 

[grjt]

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

[quote author=Anita link=topic=33578.msg915132#msg915132 date=1248965135]
Honestly Whaddapie, I can't be bothered with this. You're not gonna change my mind and I don't really care about changing yours.


[/quote]

And there's no reason why you should Anita.... I mean its completely obvious that Xabi's behaving impeccably, and unarguably like a "model pro" (and clearly not a money grabbing shit-bag at all)

 

[Paddy]

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

[quote author=Anita link=topic=33578.msg915135#msg915135 date=1248965375]
Anyway someone I know who works in the media reckons he spoke to someone at the club this morning and it looks like £15million plus Snieder and Van Der Vaart.

Just passing on what I've heard.

That makes me feel a lot better.
[/quote]

That would please me. Then bring in cover for the defence. Sorted.

 

[LadyRed]

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

[quote author=Whaddapie link=topic=33578.msg915134#msg915134 date=1248965344]
[quote author=Anita link=topic=33578.msg915132#msg915132 date=1248965135]
Honestly Whaddapie, I can't be bothered with this. You're not gonna change my mind and I don't really care about changing yours.


[/quote]

Right back at ya... There are none so blind as those who will not see. If Xabi told you up was down, you'd not hear a word against it.
[/quote]

Yes, yes of course I would.

And as of next week I'm supporting Madrid. Sod Liverpool without Alonso. Pfft.

 

[Oncy]

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

[quote author=Anita link=topic=33578.msg915121#msg915121 date=1248964595]
[quote author=Whaddapie link=topic=33578.msg915112#msg915112 date=1248964173]
[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=33578.msg915029#msg915029 date=1248958962]

Im angrier today with him than i have been.
It seems to be the case that his mind was already made up to leave, maybe as far back as last summer. Certainly this year. He had already told the players i understand that he wants to go.
And when does he hand in a transfer request? A fortnight before the new season starts.
If he had any decency he would have done it June the 1st. We would still decide the fee, but with 2 months to negotiate a replacement, not 2 weeks. Hes put us on the back foot here in our most important campaign in years. He is for me at least a bit of a twat. And a ginge in denial.

[/quote]

Exactly, Part II.

He's not the model pro who loves this team and has done everything right that many are trying to paint him as. Waiting this long to do what he should have done fcuking weeks ago really, REALLY leaves a bitter taste in the mouth.
[/quote]

Maybe he's tried to be patient and let the clubs negociate, but Rafa made it clear a few days ago that Alonso would have to put in a transfer request, and so he has. Works out nice and dandy for Rafa, no one can blame him now, cos he wouldn't want to upset the beloved fans he's so at one with.
[/quote]Jesus Anita! You could catch Xabi pushing shit through your letterbox and admonish him of all blame.
Yes its all Rafa's fault. Xabi is a misstreated hero who is being forced out the door in machiavelian fashion by the hooded claw whos spin merchants have utilised the press to make Xabi look culpable.
Lets move on.

 

[LadyRed]

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

[quote author=grjt link=topic=33578.msg915136#msg915136 date=1248965383]
[quote author=Anita link=topic=33578.msg915132#msg915132 date=1248965135]
Honestly Whaddapie, I can't be bothered with this. You're not gonna change my mind and I don't really care about changing yours.


[/quote]

And there's no reason why you should Anita.... I mean its completely obvious that Xabi's behaving impeccably, and unarguably like a "model pro" (and clearly not a money grabbing shit-bag at all)
[/quote]

Conceeding his bonus, uh huh, real signs of how money grabbing he is.

He wants to leave, probably for several reasons, money doesn't seem to be one of them.

 

[Oncy]

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

[quote author=Anita link=topic=33578.msg915135#msg915135 date=1248965375]
Anyway someone I know who works in the media reckons he spoke to someone at the club this morning and it looks like £15million plus Snieder and Van Der Vaart.

Just passing on what I've heard.

That makes me feel a lot better.
[/quote]Is it the same someone who reckons Rafa has forced xabi out to have some spends?

 

[the_khl]

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

[quote author=Anita link=topic=33578.msg915135#msg915135 date=1248965375]
Anyway someone I know who works in the media reckons he spoke to someone at the club this morning and it looks like £15million plus Snieder and Van Der Vaart.

Just passing on what I've heard.

That makes me feel a lot better.
[/quote]

I'd take that in a heartbeat really.

Alonso is not the end all be all to this team. In those two players (plus the cash) we'd be more mobile throughout midfield and get a few more options really.

Spunk the rest on Silva and some young defender who's ready to be used as a squadie.

We've got a lot of 20-year-old-ish reserves coming through the ranks as well.

 

[Whaddapie]

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

[quote author=Anita link=topic=33578.msg915124#msg915124 date=1248964728]

Anyone who's coming up with 'Well, if it was me, I'd get over it' is talking BS, and they know it.

[/quote]

And, see, quite apart from the football and Xabi argument that we're having, that really, REALLY irks me. You don't know the first fcuking thing about me or most people on here, but because you want it to be so, you make this wild and broad generalisation.

Now who's talking BS?

 

[Skullflower]

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

[quote author=Anita link=topic=33578.msg915135#msg915135 date=1248965375]
Anyway someone I know who works in the media reckons he spoke to someone at the club this morning and it looks like £15million plus Snieder and Van Der Vaart.

Just passing on what I've heard.

That makes me feel a lot better.
[/quote]

that would be a great deal. not a chance, though.

 

[grjt]

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

[quote author=Anita link=topic=33578.msg915144#msg915144 date=1248965659]
[quote author=grjt link=topic=33578.msg915136#msg915136 date=1248965383]
[quote author=Anita link=topic=33578.msg915132#msg915132 date=1248965135]
Honestly Whaddapie, I can't be bothered with this. You're not gonna change my mind and I don't really care about changing yours.


[/quote]

And there's no reason why you should Anita.... I mean its completely obvious that Xabi's behaving impeccably, and unarguably like a "model pro" (and clearly not a money grabbing shit-bag at all)
[/quote]

Conceeding his bonus, uh huh, real signs of how money grabbing he is.

He wants to leave, probably for several reasons, money doesn't seem to be one of them.
[/quote]

Its not simply about his loyalty bonus though is it Anita (these things can be worked out in negotiations) - its more about his attempts to secure the payup on his contract by not putting in a transfer request, and not making his (now very clear) intentions known to the manager and the club.

He wants a move, we get it - but pushing it all the way out until now (even putting himself through a far east trip when not 100%) smacks of base greed.

 

[Oncy]

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

[quote author=Skullflower link=topic=33578.msg915150#msg915150 date=1248966135]
[quote author=Anita link=topic=33578.msg915135#msg915135 date=1248965375]
Anyway someone I know who works in the media reckons he spoke to someone at the club this morning and it looks like £15million plus Snieder and Van Der Vaart.

Just passing on what I've heard.

That makes me feel a lot better.
[/quote]

that would be a great deal. not a chance, though.
[/quote]The reason i would find this unlikely is: both players are new signings and quite expensive too. You would think that Madrid (like most clubs) will be paying those fees over the length of the contract and as such would be fucking themselves over if they just gave them away.

 

[mark1975]

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

[quote author=grjt link=topic=33578.msg915153#msg915153 date=1248966232]
[quote author=Anita link=topic=33578.msg915144#msg915144 date=1248965659]
[quote author=grjt link=topic=33578.msg915136#msg915136 date=1248965383]
[quote author=Anita link=topic=33578.msg915132#msg915132 date=1248965135]
Honestly Whaddapie, I can't be bothered with this. You're not gonna change my mind and I don't really care about changing yours.


[/quote]

And there's no reason why you should Anita.... I mean its completely obvious that Xabi's behaving impeccably, and unarguably like a "model pro" (and clearly not a money grabbing shit-bag at all)
[/quote]

Conceeding his bonus, uh huh, real signs of how money grabbing he is.

He wants to leave, probably for several reasons, money doesn't seem to be one of them.
[/quote]

Its not simply about his loyalty bonus though is it Anita (these things can be worked out in negotiations) - its more about his attempts to secure the payup on his contract by not putting in a transfer request, and not making his (now very clear) intentions known to the manager and the club.

He wants a move, we get it - but pushing it all the way out until now (even putting himself through a far east trip when not 100%) smacks of base greed.
[/quote]

I think something that seems fairly obvious, and I'm not sure I agree totally about it being money motivated, is that he's continually kept his cards close to his chest to avoid the so called blame being put on him.

Every comment Rafa has made of late has put the pressure on Xabi, while Xabi has said little about the situation. It seems like both parties want the other to look like the cunt in all of this while avoiding upsetting the fans.

 

[Squiggles]

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

[quote author=Anita link=topic=33578.msg915135#msg915135 date=1248965375]
Anyway someone I know who works in the media reckons he spoke to someone at the club this morning and it looks like £15million plus Snieder and Van Der Vaart.

Just passing on what I've heard.

That makes me feel a lot better.
[/quote]

Not convinced by VDV but that's still a very, very good deal. Given the crazy market and the circumstances involved - i.e Real being a circus and having too many first team players - I don't think a deal like this is out of the question at all.

 

[Jack D Rips]

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

I doubt we would get both but they could use at least one of them as part of their agreed instalment payments. They do have to cut their squad drastically.

 

[Squiggles]

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

[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=33578.msg915159#msg915159 date=1248966475]
[quote author=grjt link=topic=33578.msg915153#msg915153 date=1248966232]
[quote author=Anita link=topic=33578.msg915144#msg915144 date=1248965659]
[quote author=grjt link=topic=33578.msg915136#msg915136 date=1248965383]
[quote author=Anita link=topic=33578.msg915132#msg915132 date=1248965135]
Honestly Whaddapie, I can't be bothered with this. You're not gonna change my mind and I don't really care about changing yours.


[/quote]

And there's no reason why you should Anita.... I mean its completely obvious that Xabi's behaving impeccably, and unarguably like a "model pro" (and clearly not a money grabbing shit-bag at all)
[/quote]

Conceeding his bonus, uh huh, real signs of how money grabbing he is.

He wants to leave, probably for several reasons, money doesn't seem to be one of them.
[/quote]

Its not simply about his loyalty bonus though is it Anita (these things can be worked out in negotiations) - its more about his attempts to secure the payup on his contract by not putting in a transfer request, and not making his (now very clear) intentions known to the manager and the club.

He wants a move, we get it - but pushing it all the way out until now (even putting himself through a far east trip when not 100%) smacks of base greed.
[/quote]

I think another thing that's seems fairly obvious, and I'm not sure I agree totally about being money motivated, is that he's continually kept his cards close to his chest to avoid the so called blame being put on him.

Every comment Rafa has made of late has put the pressure on Xabi, while Xabi has said little about the situation. It seems like both parties want the other to look like the cunt in all of this while avoiding upsetting the fans.
[/quote]

One of the better posts in a mess of a thread.

Nobody knows fuck all what's going on behind the scenes, nor the ins and outs of their relationship.

Presuming one way or the other is bloody pointless.

 

[doctor_mac]

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

I'd take Robben and 15 m quicker but there ya go.

 

[Oncy]

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

[quote author=doctor_mac link=topic=33578.msg915167#msg915167 date=1248966773]
I'd take Robben and 15 m quicker but there ya go.


[/quote]*vomits into mouth a little bit*

 

[LadyRed]

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

Do you people just not read posts? You look at who's name is beside it and decide on your response? Is that how it works?

It's no secret, I'm an Alonso fan and am obviously hugely gutted that he's leaving. I'm disappointed and hurt that he's put in a transfer request, it hurts when any player makes it clear he doesn't want to play for LFC, I mean, how could anyone not want to play for the greatest club on earth? It hurts that much more when it's your favourite player.

I'm disappointed that a man that was an integral part of one of our greatest nights in recent history can't spare some sentiment for this club and it's fans, who have gone to huge efforts to let him know they want him to stay.

I'm saddened that despite having our best shot at the league in 20years that someone like Alonso can't see that this team is on the brink of something huge, and that he can't give us another year on that basis. I wish he could.

But I won't demonise him for it. Why should I? As I feel we can't completely rid ourselves of the blame, if Rafa hadn't touted him all over Europe the way he did last summer, I'm not convinced we'd be facing losing him now. I can't blame him for wanting out, even if there was a complete U-turn from Rafa. That aside, I can't blame anyone for wanting to return back to their home country, I was sad when Garcia went for the same reason. How can you blame a man for wanting to take his family back to their homeland?

I worry about how we'll function as a 4231 without someone with is passing range in the 2. Mascherano is great at breaking the play up, but not so good with his vision and distribution they way Xabi is.

I said at the end of last season that I was convinced we would win the league this season, if we kept the spine of our team. Losing anyone of the players that make that up would hurt us. I think this will hurt us.

But he is only one player. He isn't and never was the whole team.

Ultimately, I wish the situation had been different. I wish he'd wanted to stay, but he's been caught up by the lure of Madrid. I don't think he's a victim of Rafa's evil plan, but I wish Xabi was leaving on good terms with the manager, club, players and fans. I'm not sure he is leaving on the best terms with the manager. But perhaps thats down to both of them, who knows.

Despite what others think, I think Alonso has proven to be a model professional, he could have moaned last summer, he could have courted the media throughout this summer, he didn't. He tried to stay quiet as long as he could and tried to allow business to happen behind closed doors, as it should. I respect that. It was made clear by Rafa that he needed to hand in a transfer request in order for the move to happen, and so he's done that. Let's hope it's all resolved quickly from this point onwards.

But I, for one, wish him all the best. I hope he's outstanding for Spain. I will always remember for fondly for Istanbul and those special half-way line goals. I'm glad that Spanish lad Xabi Alonso once played for Liverpool.

YNWA

 

[doctor_mac]

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

[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=33578.msg915165#msg915165 date=1248966718]
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=33578.msg915159#msg915159 date=1248966475]
[quote author=grjt link=topic=33578.msg915153#msg915153 date=1248966232]
[quote author=Anita link=topic=33578.msg915144#msg915144 date=1248965659]
[quote author=grjt link=topic=33578.msg915136#msg915136 date=1248965383]
[quote author=Anita link=topic=33578.msg915132#msg915132 date=1248965135]
Honestly Whaddapie, I can't be bothered with this. You're not gonna change my mind and I don't really care about changing yours.


[/quote]

And there's no reason why you should Anita.... I mean its completely obvious that Xabi's behaving impeccably, and unarguably like a "model pro" (and clearly not a money grabbing shit-bag at all)
[/quote]

Conceeding his bonus, uh huh, real signs of how money grabbing he is.

He wants to leave, probably for several reasons, money doesn't seem to be one of them.
[/quote]

Its not simply about his loyalty bonus though is it Anita (these things can be worked out in negotiations) - its more about his attempts to secure the payup on his contract by not putting in a transfer request, and not making his (now very clear) intentions known to the manager and the club.

He wants a move, we get it - but pushing it all the way out until now (even putting himself through a far east trip when not 100%) smacks of base greed.
[/quote]

I think another thing that's seems fairly obvious, and I'm not sure I agree totally about being money motivated, is that he's continually kept his cards close to his chest to avoid the so called blame being put on him.

Every comment Rafa has made of late has put the pressure on Xabi, while Xabi has said little about the situation. It seems like both parties want the other to look like the cunt in all of this while avoiding upsetting the fans.
[/quote]

One of the better posts in a mess of a thread.

Nobody knows fuck all what's going on behind the scenes, nor the ins and outs of their relationship.

Presuming one way or the other is bloody pointless.
[/quote]

So you single out a post making assumptions about what is going on for praise?

 

[doctor_mac]

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

[quote author=Anita link=topic=33578.msg915170#msg915170 date=1248966856]
Do you people just not read posts? You look at who's name is beside it and decide on your response? Is that how it works?

It's no secret, I'm an Alonso fan and am obviously hugely gutted that he's leaving. I'm disappointed and hurt that he's put in a transfer request, it hurts when any player makes it clear he doesn't want to play for LFC, I mean, how could anyone not want to play for the greatest club on earth? It hurts that much more when it's your favourite player.

I'm disappointed that a man that was an integral part of one of our greatest nights in recent history can't spare some sentiment for this club and it's fans, who have gone to huge efforts to let him know they want him to stay.

I'm saddened that despite having our best shot at the league in 20years that someone like Alonso can't see that this team is on the brink of something huge, and that he can't give us another year on that basis. I wish he could.

But I won't demonise him for it. Why should I? As I feel we can't completely rid ourselves of the blame, if Rafa hadn't touted him all over Europe the way he did last summer, I'm not convinced we'd be facing losing him now. I can't blame him for wanting out, even if there was a complete U-turn from Rafa. That aside, I can't blame anyone for wanting to return back to their home country, I was sad when Garcia went for the same reason. How can you blame a man for wanting to take his family back to their homeland?

I worry about how we'll function as a 4231 without someone with is passing range in the 2. Mascherano is great at breaking the play up, but not so good with his vision and distribution they way Xabi is.

I said at the end of last season that I was convinced we would win the league this season, if we kept the spine of our team. Losing anyone of the players that make that up would hurt us. I think this will hurt us.

But he is only one player. He isn't and never was the whole team.

Ultimately, I wish the situation had been different. I wish he'd wanted to stay, but he's been caught up by the lure of Madrid. I don't think he's a victim of Rafa's evil plan, but I wish Xabi was leaving on good terms with the manager, club, players and fans. I'm not sure he is leaving on the best terms with the manager. But perhaps thats down to both of them, who knows.

Despite what others think, I think Alonso has proven to be a model professional, he could have moaned last summer, he could have courted the media throughout this summer, he didn't. He tried to stay quiet as long as he could and tried to allow business to happen behind closed doors, as it should. I respect that. It was made clear by Rafa that he needed to hand in a transfer request in order for the move to happen, and so he's done that. Let's hope it's all resolved quickly from this point onwards.

But I, for one, wish him all the best. I hope he's outstanding for Spain. I will always remember for fondly for Istanbul and those special half-way line goals. I'm glad that Spanish lad Xabi Alonso once played for Liverpool.

YNWA
[/quote]
*weeps*

*stops stabbing Xabi voodoo doll with pin*

 

[LadyRed]

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

[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=33578.msg915145#msg915145 date=1248965744]
[quote author=Anita link=topic=33578.msg915135#msg915135 date=1248965375]
Anyway someone I know who works in the media reckons he spoke to someone at the club this morning and it looks like £15million plus Snieder and Van Der Vaart.

Just passing on what I've heard.

That makes me feel a lot better.
[/quote]Is it the same someone who reckons Rafa has forced xabi out to have some spends?
[/quote]

Nope. This is someone else.

 

[LadyRed]

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

[quote author=Whaddapie link=topic=33578.msg915147#msg915147 date=1248965822]
[quote author=Anita link=topic=33578.msg915124#msg915124 date=1248964728]

Anyone who's coming up with 'Well, if it was me, I'd get over it' is talking BS, and they know it.

[/quote]

And, see, quite apart from the football and Xabi argument that we're having, that really, REALLY irks me. You don't know the first fcuking thing about me or most people on here, but because you want it to be so, you make this wild and broad generalisation.

Now who's talking BS?
[/quote]

And yet it's okay for you to make comments like 'you'e believe anything Alonso told you', like you know me well enough to know how easily I'd be led by someone else.

Do me a favour.

 

[Oncy]

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

I was at the Newcastle game for the halfway line goal. It was deadly.

Im not really all that arsed hes going, i just never really warmed to him on an emotional level. I do like his special cut Xabi size shirts though.

 

[Squiggles]

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

[quote author=doctor_mac link=topic=33578.msg915171#msg915171 date=1248966888]
[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=33578.msg915165#msg915165 date=1248966718]
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=33578.msg915159#msg915159 date=1248966475]
[quote author=grjt link=topic=33578.msg915153#msg915153 date=1248966232]
[quote author=Anita link=topic=33578.msg915144#msg915144 date=1248965659]
[quote author=grjt link=topic=33578.msg915136#msg915136 date=1248965383]
[quote author=Anita link=topic=33578.msg915132#msg915132 date=1248965135]
Honestly Whaddapie, I can't be bothered with this. You're not gonna change my mind and I don't really care about changing yours.


[/quote]

And there's no reason why you should Anita.... I mean its completely obvious that Xabi's behaving impeccably, and unarguably like a "model pro" (and clearly not a money grabbing shit-bag at all)
[/quote]

Conceeding his bonus, uh huh, real signs of how money grabbing he is.

He wants to leave, probably for several reasons, money doesn't seem to be one of them.
[/quote]

Its not simply about his loyalty bonus though is it Anita (these things can be worked out in negotiations) - its more about his attempts to secure the payup on his contract by not putting in a transfer request, and not making his (now very clear) intentions known to the manager and the club.

He wants a move, we get it - but pushing it all the way out until now (even putting himself through a far east trip when not 100%) smacks of base greed.
[/quote]

I think another thing that's seems fairly obvious, and I'm not sure I agree totally about being money motivated, is that he's continually kept his cards close to his chest to avoid the so called blame being put on him.

Every comment Rafa has made of late has put the pressure on Xabi, while Xabi has said little about the situation. It seems like both parties want the other to look like the cunt in all of this while avoiding upsetting the fans.
[/quote]

One of the better posts in a mess of a thread.

Nobody knows fuck all what's going on behind the scenes, nor the ins and outs of their relationship.

Presuming one way or the other is bloody pointless.
[/quote]

So you single out a post making assumptions about what is going on for praise?
[/quote]

It's depicts reality, and has a lot more credibility than the constant Rafa/Xabi bashing.

 

[flufferama]

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

[quote author=Anita link=topic=33578.msg915170#msg915170 date=1248966856]
Do you people just not read posts? You look at who's name is beside it and decide on your response? Is that how it works?

It's no secret, I'm an Alonso fan and am obviously hugely gutted that he's leaving. I'm disappointed and hurt that he's put in a transfer request, it hurts when any player makes it clear he doesn't want to play for LFC, I mean, how could anyone not want to play for the greatest club on earth? It hurts that much more when it's your favourite player.

I'm disappointed that a man that was an integral part of one of our greatest nights in recent history can't spare some sentiment for this club and it's fans, who have gone to huge efforts to let him know they want him to stay.

I'm saddened that despite having our best shot at the league in 20years that someone like Alonso can't see that this team is on the brink of something huge, and that he can't give us another year on that basis. I wish he could.

But I won't demonise him for it. Why should I? As I feel we can't completely rid ourselves of the blame, if Rafa hadn't touted him all over Europe the way he did last summer, I'm not convinced we'd be facing losing him now. I can't blame him for wanting out, even if there was a complete U-turn from Rafa. That aside, I can't blame anyone for wanting to return back to their home country, I was sad when Garcia went for the same reason. How can you blame a man for wanting to take his family back to their homeland?

I worry about how we'll function as a 4231 without someone with is passing range in the 2. Mascherano is great at breaking the play up, but not so good with his vision and distribution they way Xabi is.

I said at the end of last season that I was convinced we would win the league this season, if we kept the spine of our team. Losing anyone of the players that make that up would hurt us. I think this will hurt us.

But he is only one player. He isn't and never was the whole team.

Ultimately, I wish the situation had been different. I wish he'd wanted to stay, but he's been caught up by the lure of Madrid. I don't think he's a victim of Rafa's evil plan, but I wish Xabi was leaving on good terms with the manager, club, players and fans. I'm not sure he is leaving on the best terms with the manager. But perhaps thats down to both of them, who knows.

Despite what others think, I think Alonso has proven to be a model professional, he could have moaned last summer, he could have courted the media throughout this summer, he didn't. He tried to stay quiet as long as he could and tried to allow business to happen behind closed doors, as it should. I respect that. It was made clear by Rafa that he needed to hand in a transfer request in order for the move to happen, and so he's done that. Let's hope it's all resolved quickly from this point onwards.

But I, for one, wish him all the best. I hope he's outstanding for Spain. I will always remember for fondly for Istanbul and those special half-way line goals. I'm glad that Spanish lad Xabi Alonso once played for Liverpool.

YNWA
[/quote]

Right that's it. I'm off to get pissed and have a weep.

 

[Oncy]

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

[quote author=Anita link=topic=33578.msg915173#msg915173 date=1248966980]
[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=33578.msg915145#msg915145 date=1248965744]
[quote author=Anita link=topic=33578.msg915135#msg915135 date=1248965375]
Anyway someone I know who works in the media reckons he spoke to someone at the club this morning and it looks like £15million plus Snieder and Van Der Vaart.

Just passing on what I've heard.

That makes me feel a lot better.
[/quote]Is it the same someone who reckons Rafa has forced xabi out to have some spends?
[/quote]

Nope. This is someone else.

[/quote]Good. I'd like this to be true. Id be amazed if it was though.

 

[doctor_mac]

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

[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=33578.msg915179#msg915179 date=1248967202]
[quote author=doctor_mac link=topic=33578.msg915171#msg915171 date=1248966888]
[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=33578.msg915165#msg915165 date=1248966718]
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=33578.msg915159#msg915159 date=1248966475]
[quote author=grjt link=topic=33578.msg915153#msg915153 date=1248966232]
[quote author=Anita link=topic=33578.msg915144#msg915144 date=1248965659]
[quote author=grjt link=topic=33578.msg915136#msg915136 date=1248965383]
[quote author=Anita link=topic=33578.msg915132#msg915132 date=1248965135]
Honestly Whaddapie, I can't be bothered with this. You're not gonna change my mind and I don't really care about changing yours.


[/quote]

And there's no reason why you should Anita.... I mean its completely obvious that Xabi's behaving impeccably, and unarguably like a "model pro" (and clearly not a money grabbing shit-bag at all)
[/quote]

Conceeding his bonus, uh huh, real signs of how money grabbing he is.

He wants to leave, probably for several reasons, money doesn't seem to be one of them.
[/quote]

Its not simply about his loyalty bonus though is it Anita (these things can be worked out in negotiations) - its more about his attempts to secure the payup on his contract by not putting in a transfer request, and not making his (now very clear) intentions known to the manager and the club.

He wants a move, we get it - but pushing it all the way out until now (even putting himself through a far east trip when not 100%) smacks of base greed.
[/quote]

I think another thing that's seems fairly obvious, and I'm not sure I agree totally about being money motivated, is that he's continually kept his cards close to his chest to avoid the so called blame being put on him.

Every comment Rafa has made of late has put the pressure on Xabi, while Xabi has said little about the situation. It seems like both parties want the other to look like the cunt in all of this while avoiding upsetting the fans.
[/quote]

One of the better posts in a mess of a thread.

Nobody knows fuck all what's going on behind the scenes, nor the ins and outs of their relationship.

Presuming one way or the other is bloody pointless.
[/quote]

So you single out a post making assumptions about what is going on for praise?
[/quote]

It's depicts reality, and has a lot more credibility than the constant Rafa/Xabi bashing.
[/quote]

You can't read: "It seems like both parties want the other to look like the cunt in all of this while avoiding upsetting the fans. "

Not having a go at Mark at all, but if you don't like conjecture, then surely this ain't the post for you. Meh.

 

[madmax]

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

Sneijder is not disciplined enough to play CM alongside Xavier. That is my only concern, he can pass and keep the game ticking as well as Xabi. He can even force the play a bit more than Xabi, but defensively he is no match to Xabi. We will be losing a fair amount of grit and endeavor too, as Wesley Sneijder is like a more lazy Scholes. That could exactly be what we need to turn them draws to wins, but im not sure we will be as strong defensively. If Rafa wants to play two very attacking full backs, we may be losing some balance if we played Sneijder and Xavier in the middle.