Alonso: I am staying

[Crazyhorse7778]

Alonso: I am staying
by Richard Field, 01 May 2008

Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso says he has no intention of leaving the club following The Champions League exit against Chelsea.

The Spaniard had his sights set on a place in the Moscow final but Chelsea finally undid the Liverpool hoodoo to dump out the five-time champions of Europe.

The unrest in the Anfield boardroom has put the future of manager Rafa Benitez in doubt and rumours have linked Alonso with a move.

“My future is with Liverpool because I signed a contract. There are many rumours but I do not pay attention to them,” Alonso said.

“We are proud of what we have done in the Champions League and we are behind Benitez in the dressing room. I hope to play in more Champions League finals in my career.

“This defeat has hurt us a great deal but we have to show our professionalism and get on with the rest of the season.”

[TommyW]

I for one am very happy about this, im convinced he can get back to his best

form is temporary and all that

[billybonzo]

I honestly don't know whether thats a good or a bad thing, my gut feeling is he will still leave.

[ratcatcher]

He may have signed a contract but if we get an offer for him from Madrid or Barca, I wouldnt be surprised to see him go.

[Baldi]

Good, good, good double Good.

[Jens]

Originally Posted by billybonzo

I honestly don't know whether thats a good or a bad thing, my gut feeling is he will still leave.

I agree, get rid of Alonso and bring in some shithead like Gareth Barry.

Are you nuts?

[billybonzo]

Originally Posted by Jens

I agree, get rid of Alonso and bring in some shithead like Gareth Barry.

Are you nuts?

No, but you do seem a bit unstable, no ?

[rebel23]

even if he does stay I hope Lucas gets picked more often, Alonso is becoming a bit of blind spot for Rafa.

For example i was very upset with his performance at the Emirates in the CL and very pleased with Lucas' league performance at Stamford Bridge, yet he still selects Xabi

[billybonzo]

It aint gonna happen i dont think, there is too much smoke...im pretty calm about this, whereas if it had been the season after his debut i would be pretty damn unhappy.

[Jens]

Originally Posted by billybonzo

No, but you do seem a bit unstable, no ?

I was born like this, take it or leave it.

But Alonso is staying.

[bobhorse]

its ok him saying he isnt going but has he or will he signed a new deal that is the key thing i want to know

[StevieH]

Originally Posted by rebel23

even if he does stay I hope Lucas gets picked more often, Alonso is becoming a bit of blind spot for Rafa.

For example i was very upset with his performance at the Emirates in the CL and very pleased with Lucas' league performance at Stamford Bridge, yet he still selects Xabi

I'm not sure if that is the case anymore. Alonso was dropped for the CL semi final home game with Chelsea last year & that demonstrated that he is no longer an automatic 1st choice anymore. Alonso is a class act and on his day one of the very best midfielders around, but he needs to get back to his consistant best of a few years ago in order to remain at Anfield.

[wiiksie]

Alonso is still the most gifted passer we have, this is good news if true. Its clear we still need a bit more in terms of creating chances/playmaking, but keeping Xabi can only be a good thing I reckon. I love the guy.

[lifetime fan]

Good news for me, I rate Barry as a tidy player but wasn't too happy with the thought of him coming here.

[longballs]

Originally Posted by billybonzo

I honestly don't know whether thats a good or a bad thing, my gut feeling is he will still leave.

Feel exactly the same. I would love him to get back to the heights out his first season but as I have said elsewhere I think teams have worked him out. They give him no time in possession and he just can't handle it.

[twelvesmallsteps]

i thought he did good yesterday

[StevieH]

Originally Posted by Baps

If we're going to stick with this system, I'd sell him and bring in a more dynamic midfielder, who aswell as dictating the tempo, can get get around the pitch and score goals.

I know Rafa wants two holding central midfielders, but Alonso and Masch together is so negative and uncreative as both tend to sit so deep.

I'd like to see us sign Michael Johnson this summer before his stock rises and other clubs wise up to how good this kid is.

[Paul]

Fucking made up. He's a fucking class act and class is permanent; form and fitness problems are merely temporary. And besides, he really hasn't been anywhere near as bad as everyone has been making out.

[billybonzo]

Originally Posted by Paul

Fucking made up. He's a fucking class act and class is permanent; form and fitness problems are merely temporary. And besides, he really hasn't been anywhere near as bad as everyone has been making out.

He's been pretty poor by his own standards for the best part of a year now, its blatantly obvious that teams can nulify him by closing him down quickly. As ive said in another thread, Xabi would have been a revelation under King Kenny, but the game is so much quicker now.

[Section_31]

He's a class player but he's also one of our most sellable assets, I don't think he'll have much say in the final outcome to be quite frank.

He's got loads of ability, but I can't remember the last time he was my man of the match, and he hasn't been himself for 18 months plus.

And if you've got any pretentions at all of becoming a great side, you simply can't afford to carry passangers.

[Crazyhorse7778]

I thought he was our best player over the 2 legs against Chelsea.

[billybonzo]

Originally Posted by Crazyhorse7778

I thought he was our best player over the 2 legs against Chelsea.

Specsavers perhaps ?