Xabi Alonso Tribute Thread

[the_khl]

[quote author=jan link=topic=35060.msg918665#msg918665 date=1249472083]
[quote author=the_khl link=topic=35060.msg918657#msg918657 date=1249471682]
Out of curiosity does anyone know the number of assists Alonso made last Season?
[/quote]

5 in the league
[/quote]
Cheers.

 

[keniget]

I don't really get what you're saying there the_khl. On the one hand you acknowledge the fact that we play with two holding midfielders and then you go on and talk about turning a man and advocate players like Sneijder and Diego.

Let's be clear, you're not talking about a replacement for Xabi, you're talking about changing up to a 4-3-3 and playing with another attacking midfielder - only one who maybe has a lower centre of gravity and has more ability to run with the ball at his feet. There is no holding midfielder out there that gives you those sort of attributes, so to go on about how Alonso's lack of pace contributed to our overall slugishness and shitty draws at times is a little ridiculous in my opinion. It was the system Rafa chose to play and stick with no matter what and if anything, you'd point to Masher as the one having the least creative ability and therefore being the least effective when you're camped in the opposition's half and the threat of a counter attack is absolutely minimal.

I have no problems with a 4-3-3 formation at all - in fact, I have often gone on about the same thing, particularly when we've been drawing... and mentioned players (Diego in particular) who could come in and give us another attacking dimension and tip the balance slightly more towards attack.

 

[gkmacca]

[quote author=Anita link=topic=35060.msg918632#msg918632 date=1249466936]


Because I'm not particularly bothered about engaging in an argument with you to try to justify my stance. I've done it a million times already, you just chose to be selective with what you sensationalise for the sake of the wittiest response. Like I said you don't seem to be to concerned with that the post says or the context it's intended it, just about getting your little 'entertaining' response in.
[/quote]

Dear oh dear, damned for trying to be 'entertaining'. Oh the shame! But your attitude merely shows you know how weak your position is. You're not 'particularly bothered' about justifying your stance? Funny how this inertia or indifference comes on when people know their stance is too hard to justify. You really liked Alonso, hated the thought of him going, so you looked for anyone to blame but Alonso, regardless of the lack of evidence, and questioned the integrity and judgement of the manager, and then, amazingly, sought to attack other posters for not being true fans for caring more about the club than one particular player. Simply saying 'I'm sad' and leaving it at that would have been so much more honest, honourable and grown-up.

 

[DBP]

girls should be banned from the internet.

DJS is tolerable by comparison

 

[Oncy]

[quote author=DBP link=topic=35060.msg918730#msg918730 date=1249476627]
girls should be banned from the internet.

DJS is tolerable by comparison
[/quote]Anita is a terrific poster.

 

[Mersey86]

I wrote a poem for today. I'll read it to you:

Hear the words I say,
Xabi has gone away,
so I say, say, say..
I don't like Xabi today.

 

[Oncy]

[quote author=Baldrick link=topic=35060.msg918732#msg918732 date=1249476749]
I wrote a poem for today. I'll read it to you:

Hear the words I say,
Xabi has gone away,
so I say, say, say..
I don't like Xabi today.
[/quote]Its not as good as your one about the German Guns.

 

[Skullflower]

Former Liverpool midfielder Jan Molby says he thinks Liverpool will miss Xabi Alonso once his imminent transfer to Real Madrid is finalized, but believs the Spanish international is doing something good for his career.

Alonso looks set to join the La Liga giants in a deal thought to be worth around £30million to the Reds.

And Molby told the BBC, he completely understands Alonso’s reasons for leaving Anfield.

“He’s doing what he thinks is right for his career,†he said. “When he retires he’ll look back and see Liverpool and Real Madrid on his C.V. and that’s a big thing.

“If you look at what’s happening at Real right now, you can sense that there could be something big in terms of what they’re capable of winning over the next few years and Alonso feels he wants to be part of that.

“In the end he was desperate to go and join them and I fully understand his decision.

“But Liverpool will miss him a lot. Everyone talks about Gerrard and Torres, but I think just behind them, Alonso was a crucial part of the directional ply of the team.â€

 

[spider-Neil]

I'm sorry but in no shape or form was alonso ever a detriment to our team or style of play. when you have a brain like xabi's you don't need pace.

 

[Skullflower]

[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=35060.msg918746#msg918746 date=1249477638]
I'm sorry but in no shape or form was alonso ever a detriment to our team or style of play. when you have a brain like xabi's you don't need pace.
[/quote]

are you just randomly responding to something someone said on page 4?

 

[themn]

Someone should start another tribute thread because this one, isn't.

 

[LadyRed]

[quote author=gkmacca link=topic=35060.msg918710#msg918710 date=1249475630]
[quote author=Anita link=topic=35060.msg918632#msg918632 date=1249466936]


Because I'm not particularly bothered about engaging in an argument with you to try to justify my stance. I've done it a million times already, you just chose to be selective with what you sensationalise for the sake of the wittiest response. Like I said you don't seem to be to concerned with that the post says or the context it's intended it, just about getting your little 'entertaining' response in.
[/quote]

Dear oh dear, damned for trying to be 'entertaining'. Oh the shame! But your attitude merely shows you know how weak your position is. You're not 'particularly bothered' about justifying your stance? Funny how this inertia or indifference comes on when people know their stance is too hard to justify. You really liked Alonso, hated the thought of him going, so you looked for anyone to blame but Alonso, regardless of the lack of evidence, and questioned the integrity and judgement of the manager, and then, amazingly, sought to attack other posters for not being true fans for caring more about the club than one particular player. Simply saying 'I'm sad' and leaving it at that would have been so much more honest, honourable and grown-up.
[/quote]

I like you G-Mak, I do. But sometimes you don't half chat some shit, and in a really pompous manner too.

I'm not 'anti-Rafa' despite what might suit the argument, I applaud him when he gets it right and question him when he doesn't.

I liked Alonso and wanted him to stay, I've said lots of things about the matter, my bottom line is that he wanted to go and so he's gone, I maintain that I'm not convinced he would have wanted to leave if we hadn't try to sell him last summer : MY OPINION, not saying it's fact. And I don't need anyone to agree with me.

And I do think it's a shame that people are slating him on what is supposed to be a tribute thread, but as for the 'best fans' comment, I'm sorry that this is an internet forum and therefore some struggle to see when comments are intended tongue in cheek. For future reference a large percentage of mine are.

 

[themn]

Set Rashid and, ooh, Shaggy Alonso, on him Neets !

 

[LadyRed]

[quote author=DBP link=topic=35060.msg918730#msg918730 date=1249476627]
girls should be banned from the internet.

DJS is tolerable by comparison
[/quote]

Is this even worth the effort?

 

[the_khl]

[quote author=keniget link=topic=35060.msg918682#msg918682 date=1249473410]
I don't really get what you're saying there the_khl. On the one hand you acknowledge the fact that we play with two holding midfielders and then you go on and talk about turning a man and advocate players like Sneijder and Diego.

Let's be clear, you're not talking about a replacement for Xabi, you're talking about changing up to a 4-3-3 and playing with another attacking midfielder - only one who maybe has a lower centre of gravity and has more ability to run with the ball at his feet. There is no holding midfielder out there that gives you those sort of attributes, so to go on about how Alonso's lack of pace contributed to our overall slugishness and shitty draws at times is a little ridiculous in my opinion. It was the system Rafa chose to play and stick with no matter what and if anything, you'd point to Masher as the one having the least creative ability and therefore being the least effective when you're camped in the opposition's half and the threat of a counter attack is absolutely minimal.

I have no problems with a 4-3-3 formation at all - in fact, I have often gone on about the same thing, particularly when we've been drawing... and mentioned players (Diego in particular) who could come in and give us another attacking dimension and tip the balance slightly more towards attack.


[/quote]
But doesn't managers often accommodate formations to his players strengths?

You may be right a more technically gifted, mobile midfielder in the Diego-mould would eventually mean a slightly different approach in terms of formation. I'm perfectly good with that. Maybe that's what have been missing and with Alonso it hasn't really been an option as he's very much a holding, creative midfielder.

We have to agree that with both Masher and Alonso playing we were highly reluctant on anyone else to score goals and to some extent create chances. I'd like to see what a tad more mobile, pacey and technical gifted midfielder would bring to our game as I'm positive we'd soon enough forget to miss Alonso with a player in the Diego/Sneijder-mould beeing brought in. (Hopefully the same goes with Aquilani).

I'm quite sure it could work with someone more attacking-minded in midfield alongside Masher without having to withdraw Gerrard or mould to much with the overall way we approach the game.

Evidently everything now depends on whom we're getting in as his replacements but I don't think we will necessarily miss Alonso much this coming Season especially not if we can get our hands on players such as Sneijder and Silva.

 

[keniget]

Yeah, managers do change systems to accomodate players, but if Rafa has shown anything during his time here it's that he favours a strong team work ethic and a system that is defensively solid.

I just don't see playing a Deco type player alongside Masher as a solution Rafa would opt for on a regular basis. It lacks the steel he seems to like and as an out and out central midfielder, it might end up that you'd be burdening an attacking midfielder with defensive duties that'd make him less effective.

Anyways, whatever... the basic underlying point is that we could play with a more attacking midfielder somehow and give ourselves a better chance of converting draws into wins. I'd be happy with that but unfortunately we've not been linked with anyone that suggests Rafa is thinking along those lines. He seems to want to keep the 4-2-3-1 intact.

 

[gene hughes]

[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=35060.msg918746#msg918746 date=1249477638]
I'm sorry but in no shape or form was alonso ever a detriment to our team or style of play. when you have a brain like xabi's you don't need pace.
[/quote]

That's bollocks.

 

[Hansern]

Good luck Xabi, I'm sure you will be very happy with your new 4 year deal with 80k a week after tax..

 

[ankreds]

Alonso completes £30m Real move

Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso has completed his £30m transfer to big-spending Real Madrid from Liverpool after passing a medical on Wednesday.
The Reds revealed on Tuesday a deal had been struck but added the terms would remain confidential.
Alonso, 27, joined Liverpool from Real Sociedad in August 2004 for £10.5m.
Technical director Jorge Valdano said the capture of Alonso would signal the end of Real Madrid's buying spree which has now seen them spend over £200m.
"With this signing, the chapter is now closed on transfers," said Valdano.
"Before the start of the pre-season, the coach Manuel Pellegrini told us it was necessary to strengthen two positions: the defence and the midfield, and that is what we have done."
Alonso becomes the second Liverpool player to join the Spanish giants after full-back Alvaro Arbeloa's £3.5m switch to the Bernabeu in July.

Real, under the guidance of returning president Florentino Perez, have embarked on an ambitious rebuilding programme this summer.
Cristiano Ronaldo arrived from Manchester United in a world record £80m deal, Brazilian playmaker Kaka was bought from AC Milan for £56m and Real have also spent £30m to sign France striker Karim Benzema from Lyon.
In addition, defender Raul Albiol was signed from Valencia as Real look to build a squad capable of challenging for honours at both home and abroad.
Rivals Barcelona completed a clean sweep of domestic trophies in Spain last season, while Real have failed to progress beyond the last 16 of the Champions League for the past five seasons.
Alonso's transfer to the La Liga club brings to an end Real's long pursuit of the Spanish international.
In July, Real sporting director Miguel Pardeza was quoted as saying "Madrid don't discard an option until it is truly impossible" after reports suggested Liverpool wanted £50m for the midfielder.
It is believed Real returned with an offer of £30m that could rise to £34m, depending on Alonso's success in Spain.

He will join former Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek at the Bernabeu, leaving only Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher from Liverpool's 18-man squad that won the Champions League in 2005.
Alonso and Dudek were both part of the side that dramatically fought back from 3-0 down against AC Milan to win the trophy in a penalty shoot-out, Alonso scoring Liverpool's third and equalising goal on 59 minutes.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez had tried to sell the Spanish international last summer as he looked to fund a move for midfielder Gareth Barry from Aston Villa.
However, Alonso did not want to move and a deal for Barry eventually fell through, with Alonso going on to play a key role as Liverpool finished second in the Premier League.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/8184444.stm

It's now official.

 

[mark1975]

*gulp*

 

[Roopy]

This transfer has hurt me.

Alonso has been my favourite player since moving to Liverpool.

His style of play, his ability, his cult status .... the guy has been nothing but a champion to me in my head.

I started a thread before last season stating my support in him re-gaining his form for the on-coming season and to show us what he is really all about .... and the guy did just that.

I always knew there would be a day that he would leave.... but as always, I hoped we never sold a player to United, Everton or Real Madrid ... those 3 clubs I fucking despise.

And so it hurts to see him go to Real Madrid, a club I have ZERO respect for ... and a club we absolutely smashed in Europe last season.

The support he will get there will be nothing compared to what us Liverpool fans offer.

I'll miss the guy, what he brought to our team was just sensational ... but it does hurt seeing him go to Real Madrid. It fucking hurts.

 

[Judge Jules]

[quote author=Anita link=topic=35060.msg918753#msg918753 date=1249478050]
[quote author=gkmacca link=topic=35060.msg918710#msg918710 date=1249475630]
[quote author=Anita link=topic=35060.msg918632#msg918632 date=1249466936]


Because I'm not particularly bothered about engaging in an argument with you to try to justify my stance. I've done it a million times already, you just chose to be selective with what you sensationalise for the sake of the wittiest response. Like I said you don't seem to be to concerned with that the post says or the context it's intended it, just about getting your little 'entertaining' response in.
[/quote]

Dear oh dear, damned for trying to be 'entertaining'. Oh the shame! But your attitude merely shows you know how weak your position is. You're not 'particularly bothered' about justifying your stance? Funny how this inertia or indifference comes on when people know their stance is too hard to justify. You really liked Alonso, hated the thought of him going, so you looked for anyone to blame but Alonso, regardless of the lack of evidence, and questioned the integrity and judgement of the manager, and then, amazingly, sought to attack other posters for not being true fans for caring more about the club than one particular player. Simply saying 'I'm sad' and leaving it at that would have been so much more honest, honourable and grown-up.
[/quote]

I like you G-Mak, I do. But sometimes you don't half chat some shit, and in a really pompous manner too.

I'm not 'anti-Rafa' despite what might suit the argument, I applaud him when he gets it right and question him when he doesn't.

I liked Alonso and wanted him to stay, I've said lots of things about the matter, my bottom line is that he wanted to go and so he's gone, I maintain that I'm not convinced he would have wanted to leave if we hadn't try to sell him last summer : MY OPINION, not saying it's fact. And I don't need anyone to agree with me.

And I do think it's a shame that people are slating him on what is supposed to be a tribute thread, but as for the 'best fans' comment, I'm sorry that this is an internet forum and therefore some struggle to see when comments are intended tongue in cheek. For future reference a large percentage of mine are.
[/quote]

I like you both, and maybe pomposity's in the eye of the beholder, but it seems to me that macca was simply responding in the same vein you introduced into the thread.

Would you have preferred a separate "Fuck Off Xabi" thread rather than include critical comments here?

 

[etchy]

First post after years of lurking. Didn't think that my first post was to bid adieu to one of my favourite players.
Not quite angry but not too sad either. Guess it's bittersweet.

That's life. Can't articulate it better than these guys...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4v8FJhQ-teE

Live through this, and you won't look back.

 

[spider-Neil]

[quote author=gene hughes link=topic=35060.msg918845#msg918845 date=1249481410]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=35060.msg918746#msg918746 date=1249477638]
I'm sorry but in no shape or form was alonso ever a detriment to our team or style of play. when you have a brain like xabi's you don't need pace.
[/quote]

That's bollocks.
[/quote]

in what way did alonso hamper our style of play? I'm sure it's been observed that when alonso doesn't play we are nowhere near as fluent.

 

[LadyRed]

[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=35060.msg918905#msg918905 date=1249484593]
Would you have preferred a separate "Fuck Off Xabi" thread rather than include critical comments here?
[/quote]

I'm so confused as to what that other 170 page thread is.

 

[doctor_mac]

[quote author=etchy link=topic=35060.msg918907#msg918907 date=1249484677]
First post after years of lurking. Didn't think that my first post was to bid adieu to one of my favourite players.
Not quite angry but not too sad either. Guess it's bittersweet.

That's life. Can't articulate it better than these guys...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4v8FJhQ-teE

Live through this, and you won't look back.
[/quote]


Welcome to the bosom of our little family Etchy.

The comments to that song you posted are hilarious.

 

[Brizzle]

Anita, be honest, would you be sad that he's gone if he was ugly?

 

[mark1975]

[quote author=Bristow link=topic=35060.msg918915#msg918915 date=1249486048]
Anita, be honest, would you be sad that he's gone if he was ugly?
[/quote]

I know, women are SOOoooooo shallow..

 

[Brizzle]

[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=35060.msg918917#msg918917 date=1249486215]
[quote author=Bristow link=topic=35060.msg918915#msg918915 date=1249486048]
Anita, be honest, would you be sad that he's gone if he was ugly?
[/quote]

I know, women are SOOoooooo shallow..
[/quote]

*hides avatar*

 

[mark1975]

[quote author=Bristow link=topic=35060.msg918918#msg918918 date=1249486333]
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=35060.msg918917#msg918917 date=1249486215]
[quote author=Bristow link=topic=35060.msg918915#msg918915 date=1249486048]
Anita, be honest, would you be sad that he's gone if he was ugly?
[/quote]

I know, women are SOOoooooo shallow..
[/quote]

*hides avatar*
[/quote]

I like style of the Liverpool shirt on mine, it's quite original in it's design.