A thread about a man named Xabi

[JMARKH]

Real are a bunch of cheekey cunts!!

 

I would be happy if we take Sneijder as part of the deal and if put the cash we get from Alonso towards Silva/Ashley Young. I think we would become a more stronger outfit, especially in terms of attack.

[SpeedyG]

I agree. I think Sneijder has all of the attributes to play that role. He's not the same player as Alonso, but that doesn't mean that he can be as effective in a different way.

 

I can understand why people think he could do what Xabi does with the ball, though TBH I doubt he has the same cerebral qualities tactically, but I really can't see what would have prepared him for the defensive / without the ball part of the role of a holding midfielder. I just can't see him being able to screen, position, slip into the back 4, know when you need to slide across to support the flank players etc like you need a holding midfielder to do. He's always been an attacking player I just can't believe he had the defensive qualities in his locker.

[SpeedyG]

He was supposed to be that hot winger/attacking option. He cost us 11 million, you know?

 

Pace without heart is useless. He may be worth keeping for now (I will still sell him if someone offers half of what we paid) but he has to show the willingness and heart to succeed at LFC. That will be the 1st step.

 

Sell him to some team that plays on the counter attack, that's his game.

[dirty_sanchez]

I can understand why people think he could do what Xabi does with the ball, though TBH I doubt he has the same cerebral qualities tactically, but I really can't see what would have prepared him for the defensive / without the ball part of the role of a holding midfielder. I just can't see him being able to screen, position, slip into the back 4, know when you need to slide across to support the flank players etc like you need a holding midfielder to do. He's always been an attacking player I just can't believe he had the defensive qualities in his locker.

 

That's what Mascherano is for.

[PaulMcC]

Isn't 35m euros under £30m? I'd want more than that.

[SpeedyG]

That's what Mascherano is for.

 

But the same deficiencies were what got SG separated from his beloved CM role. Can you see Benitez compromising for Sneidjer when he wouldn't for Gerrard? I can't.

[Carra_is_legend]

But the same deficiencies were what got SG separated from his beloved CM role. Can you see Benitez compromising for Sneidjer when he wouldn't for Gerrard? I can't.

 

I can't either. Ideally, we should look for someone with more attacking qualities and "some" defensive qualities. But Rafa will look for someone who is more defensive and occasionally offensive.

[ToxtethTerror]

Maybe we can slightly adjust the way our two CM play? I'd say Baraja is nothing like Alonso and Rafa used him pretty well at Valencia.

[Bogman]

Liverpool issue denial over Alonso bid - Premier League, Football - The Independent

 

Liverpool issue denial over Alonso bid

 

By Paul Walker, PA

 

 

Thursday, 23 July 2009

Liverpool have dismissed claims today that a fee has been agreed with Real Madrid for the sale of Xabi Alonso.

 

 

Suggestions the Spanish international would not be travelling on to the second part of the club's Far East tour were also allayed by the 28-year-old's involvement today in training at Singapore's national stadium.

 

The club insisted Alonso did not figure in yesterday's 1-1 draw with Thailand in Bangkok because of an ankle injury, although he travelled with the party to Singapore today.

 

There have been claims in Spain that the reason for his absence from the team was down to a deal having been struck with Real and Liverpool's desire for the player not to pick up an injury.

 

However, a Liverpool spokesman said today: "Xabi is with us in Singapore, and will train with the rest of the squad. He was injured ahead of the Thailand game, people can say what they like about that.

 

"And there has been no deal agreed with anyone for his transfer to anyone."

 

It has been claimed that Madrid have decided to end the summer-long saga in the face of defiance from Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez, who has intimated that he wants a fee of over £30m for the player.

 

It has been suggested the Spanish giants are now prepared to meet the asking price for their transfer target.

 

Alonso has made his desire to leave clear, and had hoped not to have to fly to Vienna on Sunday to meet up with the Liverpool squad ahead of the flight to the Far East.

 

But Alonso did make the trip, and sources at Liverpool expect him to face Singapore on Sunday before the squad fly back to the UK the following day.

 

A number of players have been linked with Liverpool if Alonso departs including Moussa Sissoko (Toulouse), Esteban Cambiasso (Inter Milan), Wesley Sneijder (Real Madrid), Alberto Aquilani (Roma) and Javi Martinez of Athletic Bilbao.

 

There are also claims today that the refinancing package being negotiated by owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett could be delayed.

 

The deadline for the pair's loans to be refinanced with the Royal Bank of Scotland and Wachovia is tomorrow.

 

The club's American owners have been confident that they will get the refinancing of their original £350million loans, but negotiations could well continue beyond this week.

 

RBS have made all the right noises about agreeing a new loan package, but there are rumours that Wachovia are not as keen.

[spider-neil]

He was supposed to be that hot winger/attacking option. He cost us 11 million, you know?

 

Pace without heart is useless. He may be worth keeping for now (I will still sell him if someone offers half of what we paid) but he has to show the willingness and heart to succeed at LFC. That will be the 1st step.

 

why not wait and see what he achieves this season before laballing him useless.

[Whelan]

But the same deficiencies were what got SG separated from his beloved CM role. Can you see Benitez compromising for Sneidjer when he wouldn't for Gerrard? I can't.

 

You have a point, but I would say Gerrards move further forward had more to do with the formation restricting him than anything, which may add up to the same thing really!

 

If people were advocating Fabregas to replace Xabi I see no reason why Sneijder can't fit in as well, however I would not fancy going to Old Trafford or Stamford Bridge with him in the middle, I would like someone more defensive, ideally we can get somone for that role as well, unless Aurelio will play there more often?

[zigackly]

We play 4-3-3 here though to be honest

 

Yer wha?

[Carra_is_legend]

why not wait and see what he achieves this season before laballing him useless.

 

Sure.

 

Just for the record, I didn't label him "useless" this time last year. I saw him for a whole year and what I saw in front of me was a football player with potential but with no willingness or determination to show it. At times he looked as if he couldn't be bothered to play for us.

 

In my book, that is pretty much "useless". If he stands up this season and delivers when called for, I will happily put my hand up and apologise. But, as I said, I can't see it.

[SpeedyG]

Maybe we can slightly adjust the way our two CM play? I'd say Baraja is nothing like Alonso and Rafa used him pretty well at Valencia.

 

Baraja was still a holding midfielder, something Sneidjer is clearly not.

[Carra_is_legend]

Maybe we can slightly adjust the way our two CM play? I'd say Baraja is nothing like Alonso and Rafa used him pretty well at Valencia.

 

Baraja was still more defensive than offensive. Something Sneijder is clearly not.

[SpeedyG]

You have a point, but I would say Gerrards move further forward had more to do with the formation restricting him than anything, which may add up to the same thing really!

 

If people were advocating Fabregas to replace Xabi I see no reason why Sneijder can't fit in as well, however I would not fancy going to Old Trafford or Stamford Bridge with him in the middle, I would like someone more defensive, ideally we can get somone for that role as well, unless Aurelio will play there more often?

 

Yeah when you consider Benitez has brought in an even more attacking FB than we had last year you would think it's unlikely he's going to compromise on defensive cover.

[Mick R]

Isn't 35m euros under £30m? I'd want more than that.

 

With the current exchange rate, I think it's just over £30m.....

[spider-neil]

Sure.

 

Just for the record, I didn't label him "useless" this time last year. I saw him for a whole year and what I saw in front of me was a football player with potential but with no willingness or determination to show it. At times he looked as if he couldn't be bothered to play for us.

 

In my book, that is pretty much "useless". If he stands up this season and delivers when called for, I will happily put my hand up and apologise. But, as I said, I can't see it.

 

fair dues.

[jackofdk]

Baraja was still a holding midfielder, something Sneidjer is clearly not.

 

Baraja was still more defensive than offensive. Something Sneijder is clearly not.

 

I'm with TT here. Baraja was/is very much a box to box player and I think our system could easily incorporate that. But he is also more of a physical presence than Sneijder, and that could be a problem (Sneijder's lack of physical presence, that is) - especially in Premier League.

[rebel23]

Sure.

 

Just for the record, I didn't label him "useless" this time last year. I saw him for a whole year and what I saw in front of me was a football player with potential but with no willingness or determination to show it. At times he looked as if he couldn't be bothered to play for us.

 

In my book, that is pretty much "useless". If he stands up this season and delivers when called for, I will happily put my hand up and apologise. But, as I said, I can't see it.

 

And yet you look at the current transfer market and can see a sea of players who can play for us at the highest level and score goals like Babel has done? what planet are you living on.

[SpeedyG]

I'm with TT here. Baraja was/is very much a box to box player and I think our system could easily incorporate that. But he is also more of a physical presence than Sneijder, and that could be a problem (Sneijder's lack of physical presence, that is) - especially in Premier League.

 

He was a box to box player that knew how to play the defensive side of the game. Something people doubt about Sneidjer seeing as he's never played that role before.

[Carra_is_legend]

And yet you look at the current transfer market and can see a sea of players who can play for us at the highest level and score goals like Babel has done? what planet are you living on.

 

Just because there are no players available doesn't mean Babel can put on those "can't be bothered" performances.

 

If you are happy with Babel's attitude and contribution last season, you get easily pleased.

[SpeedyG]

And yet you look at the current transfer market and can see a sea of players who can play for us at the highest level and score goals like Babel has done? what planet are you living on.

 

People call Babel "useless" because for every goal he scores, he gives up possession, ending an attack and putting us under pressure way too many times. That weakness completely changes the dynamics of a game. That's been his problem from day 1 and he hasn't improved on it.

 

If he was scoring a goal every other game you'd find a way to build around it, but he hasn't done enough to deserve that.

[silverlining]

And yet you look at the current transfer market and can see a sea of players who can play for us at the highest level and score goals like Babel has done? what planet are you living on.

 

Headwand, whenever I see your name attached to a thread, I look forward to reading the post with about the same amount of enthusiasm as I would whenwatching a blazing school bus full of children career in slow motion towards a pet shop that specialises in selling cute puppies and kittens.

[AmerScouse]

every day this continues to drag on is another form of distraction for our preparations. it needs to be resolved yesterday.

 

either sell him or that's it, fuck off to any interested club.

 

for the first time in a long time we've had offseason continuity. that continuity is paramount to getting off to a good start in the league and continuing it. a change in shape or the shifting in and out of a few players has the potential to make the beginning of the season more difficult as eveyrone has something to play for.

 

lack of continuity is just one small thing against teams in the bottom half that can result in draws. players knowing one another and firing on form can be the small difference between turning those previous draws into 3 points.

 

if we sell xabi, buy silva, bring in negredo etc we start out of the gate already behind the curve. other teams have wrapped up their business and have their core training to win the first game.