Xabi Alonso

[donny1013]

They have been strongly linked with Aquilani but he said today he wants to stay at Roma. Apart from him I can't think of too many players of Alonso's class Liverpool will be able to get. Maybe Javi Martinez from Bilbao, or Defour from Standard. Also a lot of players are now starting to play in the CL qualifiers which i think make them cup tied.

 

[Kendall]

Valid point. I just think it's a shame that the EPL is beginning to lose some of it's superstars. It is definately in part, down to the strength of the Euro but also La Liga is now the place to be.

In some ways yes, but from a purely selfish point of view maybe this will make the league more competitive. The Sky 4 have been the top 4 for 5 of the last 6 seasons....

 

[jay_els]

Liverpool tried to use Alonso as a makeweight occording to reports last summer.

Pretty sure that's not true mate, Alonso was going to be the one sold to make way for Barry but it was never on the cards that he was goin gto be used in any kind of swap.

 

[ripley]

I can't believe Benitez is prepared to let Alonso go. Personally I'dd sell Gerrard before letting this fella go. Gerrard will give you one exceptional game every 6.

Alonso just keeps the ball moving game after game, always making himself available, rarely wasting the ball. Gerrard spend half his time whacking the ball 50 yards to no ****. Benitez doesn't trust Gerrard with a regular central midfield spot, so I can't understand why he'd part with one of the top 3 CM's in the country.

Him and Carrick are very similar except Alonso is even better. I'd fucking love him at spurs next to Palacios.

And to say Gerrard only has one good game out of every 6 is insane! The most complete all round midfielder there is in the game today. True world class.

The part of BC's quote that you debate is BC's opinion (and he does post strong opinions) but the part of his quote that I put in bold is harder to debate. Benitez does not put Gerrard in the middle. He prefers Alonso and Mascherano.
Now a story is out that Mascherano is pushing harder for a move to Barca (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=664147&sec=transfers&cc=5901). What will their central midfield partnership be next season? Maybe you'll find out if Gerrard is all you think he is if Benetiz is forced to play him there?

 

[kishman]

Bump!
Liverpool have agreed a fee with Real Madrid for Alonso. £30m apparently!

 

[haxman]

Yeah, the spree continues. That's some squad they're building there.

http://www.sportinglife.com/footbal...STORY_NAME=soccer/09/08/04/manual_181425.html

 

[steve]

Can't say I Like Benitez, Liverpool play functional hardworking football, and it's nice to see them picked off by a bigger fish just like they did to us last year....£30m is a lot for him but it will be intresting to see who they replace him with...Poulsen says SSN...

 

[Green Valley]

Can someone tell me who can replace Alonso at Liverpool (ie a deep playmaker) and would be available to Liverpool?

 

[deselina]

defour from standard liege

 

[Kendall]

Aquilani. The rumours suggest a deal is already in place, hence releasing Alonso.

 

[DEFchenkOE]

Maybe Pirlo, don't think he'd go to Pool though, but they need him more than Chelski I think. Not sure I see Poulsen as a direct replacement for Xabi, maybe they're preparing for a Mascherano transfer.

 

[raf18]

they can sign whoever they want now, as long as they arent signed in time for our game. Poulsen wont be a great replacement. Diff style. Pirlo is very similar to alonso in terms of style but cant see that happening.

 

[3Dnata]

He's worth Bent twice over.Oh er missus.

 

[jrio]

Pretty obvious why BC isn't a manager at any level - he doesn't know his arse from his elbow.

But WTF is going on at Madrid? Alonso is a player that was available at 18m last season, and no one took a bite out of that. How has he suddenly nearly doubled in value from doing fuck all, except have his name chanted repeatedly by the Kop? Who's on the books at Madrid in CM? Right, Diarra(18m), Gago(no idea), Sneijder(15m), VDV(9m), Kaka(56m). Yeah, I can see why there might be a sense of desperation. This will end in tears. It's like Spurs with Arnesen multiplied by 10.

 

[OpenHeartZoo]

Pretty obvious why BC isn't a manager at any level - he doesn't know his arse from his elbow.

But WTF is going on at Madrid? Alonso is a player that was available at 18m last season, and no one took a bite out of that. How has he suddenly nearly doubled in value from doing fuck all, except have his name chanted repeatedly by the Kop? Who's on the books at Madrid in CM? Right, Diarra(18m), Gago(no idea), Sneijder(15m), VDV(9m), Kaka(56m). Yeah, I can see why there might be a sense of desperation. This will end in tears. It's like Spurs with Arnesen multiplied by 10.

Disagree entirely. Alonso will be the most sensible and possibly the most crucial signing Madrid make this window. He'll tie the team together.

Benzema
Kaka
Robben/Sneijder Alonso Diarra Ronaldo

Thats a terrificly balanced unit. Enough to take on Barca? I'm not sure, but I think it'll be a lot closer than in previous years.

 

[Legend10]

Its nice to see Utd, Pool and Arse being on the receiving end of bigger fish this summer.

I doubt it but we may not have to put up with SKY talking about the best league with the best players in the world.

The world's best players are now fimly entrenched in Spain and not England.

Surely its only another 12 months before Torres is seduced back to La Liga.

 

[wizgell]

Gerrard and Alonso are what make Liverpool tick. Two of the best midfielders in the world along with Iniesta and Xavi. Liverpool could really struggle this year, especially if they don't find an adequate replacement for Alonso. Another year of heavy reliance on Torres and Gerrard

 

[Bus-Conductor]

Pretty obvious why BC isn't a manager at any level - he doesn't know his arse from his elbow.

But WTF is going on at Madrid? Alonso is a player that was available at 18m last season, and no one took a bite out of that. How has he suddenly nearly doubled in value from doing fuck all, except have his name chanted repeatedly by the Kop? Who's on the books at Madrid in CM? Right, Diarra(18m), Gago(no idea), Sneijder(15m), VDV(9m), Kaka(56m). Yeah, I can see why there might be a sense of desperation. This will end in tears. It's like Spurs with Arnesen multiplied by 10.

My elbow is halfway up my arm, my arse is the thing that could outwit you.

Gerrard and Alonso are what make Liverpool tick. Two of the best midfielders in the world along with Iniesta and Xavi. Liverpool could really struggle this year, especially if they don't find an adequate replacement for Alonso. Another year of heavy reliance on Torres and Gerrard

Alonso yes, Gerrard no. Gerrard isn't even really a midfielder any more. Just compare his stats with Alonso's. Despite Alonso playing 100 minutes less he made 700 more passes than Gerrard. Double the tackles.

Benitez has been reluctant to play Gerrard as a normal central midfielder for a long time now. His distribution of the ball is just not good enough and he can't keep his head when tackling.

 

[mil1lion]

Aquilani (Roma) is the player Liverpool want to replace him.

 

[Bonjour]

I'm with B-C. Alonso is awesome.

An understated player, a la Makelele or Carrick, that makes teams tick.