[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=35060.msg918046#msg918046 date=1249415238]
[quote author=Anita link=topic=35060.msg918015#msg918015 date=1249414213]
It's no secret on here that I have been a huge Alonso fan, and desperate for him to stay. But after last summer the writing was on the wall, it was unlikely that there was gonna be any way back. The timing couldn't have been lousier, like many others at the end of last season I felt a level of enthusiasm for the coming season that I haven't ever felt before. Of course Alonso alone doesn't determine the success or failure of our season, but any number of key players effect the balance.
I am disappointed in Alonso, I'm disappointed that he couldn't see what we could see, but I understand. I understand that he felt there wasn't a way back after last summer. I don't think he deserves some of the comments on this thread though.
He kept quiet last summer, he remained a gent, he tried to stay quiet as long as he could this summer too. In the five years he's spent here, he's barely put a foot wrong, he's the kind of character I'm proud to call a Liverpool player.
I'm sorry that he's gone, but there are plenty of moments to hold on to, and for those I'm glad. Xabi has forever cemented his name in the Liverpool history books, we will never forget him for that moment in Istanbul, the momentous third one, what a moment. Those effortless balls that he pinged across the pitch week in week out that we came to take for granted. Those amazing half way line goals that will no doubt be archived and played repeatedly in years to come in football sketch shows. I'll remember the Spurs game with Alonso lingering around the pitch after the others had disappeared, I'll remember him taking the extra moments to take Anfield and it's adoring fans in. He knew it was goodbye.
Beyond being a footballer Xabi Alonso is a person and none of us can begrudge him wanting to move back to his homeland. He gave us five excellent years, and I'm glad.
I'm glad that Xabi Alonso once played for Liverpool. I will always remember him fondly.
You'll Never Walk Alone.
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I really hate the fact that you put that line into almost every Xabi post.
Because ultimately you are giving him a get out clause from any culpability in any way by using that line to ultimately aportion the blame solely with Rafa.
I know you've gone to great lengths to say how dissapointed you are in him but that to me is just your way of making your posts seem balanced and accessible.
Ultimately you have cleared him of all culpability because regardless of how he's behaved you think hes justified because he was ultimately forced out a year ago.
I disagree totally. And one of the few shreds of respect i have left for Alonso is precisely that he HASNT confirmed the tabloid rumour that Rafa's treatment last year effected this years shenanigans. If he had said that were the reason he wants to leave id think even less of him than i already do for his behavior which some may be seeing as proffessional and respectful, but i have no qualms in saying hes been manipulative, sneaky, disrespectful and self serving.
He did great things on the pitch from time to time but he should leave with his head bowed. Quite how he has managed to pull the wool over so many eyes and con those who adored him and made him rich into believing he is the victim and should leave a hero is staggering to me. Anyway, its over he's gone, i hope the next man in will want to run through walls to stay at this great club.
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I say I'm disappointed in him because I am, it's not to 'appear' as anything that I don't feel. But ultimately, honestly hand on heart, I don't think he would have been leaving the club right now if last summer hadn't happened, I really don't. And people can say 'he needs to man up' etc, fine; people are entitled to their opinions. I understand if it was a matter of pride and he didn't want to stay, because I know I'd be exactly the same. If someone told me they didn't want me somewhere, I wouldn't want to stay, even if they did change their minds afterwards, tough shit, too late. But in relation to Alonso, obviously I wish he didn't feel that way, and I wish he'd wanted to stay. In my mind Rafa isn't free of blame, he messed up last summer and that's cost us Alonso this summer. Simples.
Like I said, people have different stances on this. I fully understand his reasons, you don't. We'll never agree on it.
And I don't think he's a victim, I think he's a man of pride, and I don't begrudge him that.
