Barca after Alonso

[anfieldanfield]

If we win the European Cup i wouldnt be surprised if Alonso left.

If we win the European Cup (again), I wouldn't be surprised if Rafa left.

[The Glove]

If we win the European Cup (again), I wouldn't be surprised if Rafa left.

I think once we win the League Rafa will be off.

[Red Chilli]

I think once we win the League Rafa will be off.

Yeah I agree with that. Rafa wants to suceed in the Premiership, that's been a bigger challenge than I think he thought at first.

[anfieldanfield]

I think once we win the League Rafa will be off.

For sure, as soon as we win the title, he'll pack his bags for Madrid.

Still think he'd be very tempted if we won number 6 in Athens though...

[The Glove]

Nah, its the League Rafa needs to prove himself on. That in the bag and if Madrid are ready then it'll be Rafa on his way. Winning number 6 might be enough for some players but it wont be for Rafa.

[NICKZS]

For sure, as soon as we win the title, he'll pack his bags for Madrid.

But if we work hard, we have more poshibilities he might stay, no?

[Lee]

Agreed.

Even more than SG actually.
Many might not agree with this, but I think so.
When Xabi is out we look a much poorer team.

Spot bollock on

[Marky]

Alonso: Barca close to my heart
By Chris Stanton - Created on 17 Mar 2007
Xabi Alonso
Xabi Alonso admits admirers Barcelona are a club very close to his heart, but the Spaniard is adamant he is focused on Liverpool's current campaign.

Barcelona are reportedly in the running for Alonso, with claims they will test the Premiership side's resolve with a bid this summer.

Rafa Benitez has held contract talks with the influential star, although any decision on the player's future has been put on hold until the end of the season.

That scenario has only added heightened speculation but Alonso claims he is not unsettled and will only decide on his own future once The Reds' end-of-season fate is known.

"The rumours about my return to Spain are going on all the time. My situation is clear, if any club want me then it is obligatory for them to speak with Liverpool," Alonso is quoted as saying in the Daily Star.

"Now in my head I only have a place for The Reds. We are at a key moment in the season and I do not want any distraction.

"Liverpool have presented me with a new deal but until the end of the season I do not have an answer for them.

"Barcelona is a city very important to me and the club is also important to my father [former Barca player Perico Alonso], but in the world of football you cannot always make a decision with your heart."
_________________

See comments like this are just asking for trouble Xabi lad, just shut the
fcuk up.
You're under contract with LFC so they'll decide where you go.
**** sakes.

[Red Chilli]

I think Xabi's comments are fair enough there.

"In my head I only have a place for the REDS"

We already know Barca is a big club for him. I'm not overly bothered by those comments.

[Marky]

"Barcelona is a city very important to me and the club is also important to my father [former Barca player Perico Alonso], but in the world of football you cannot always make a decision with your heart."

I'm sorry but this is just giving the media more ammunition to keep the 'Alonso to Barca' story rumbling and rumbling.
I don't think his comments were atall necessary or appropriate.

[Kopite_Colin]

Xabi is very good, but my only criticism of him is that he doesn't contribute enough to the attacking half of CM. That is why, when SG plays on the right, if Momo and Xabi are plaing CM, we never get enough support in the box. Take SG out the middle and we lack a driving, late-arriving attacking CM to give opposing defences something to think about.

[cobain]

Have you read the quotes from him ?

I wouldn't dismiss it that easily.

Well, to be honest mate, I really don't care, because I hate these kinds of rumours. I like when things are official and that's it. That's why I never liked Koptalk in the first place, because there were so many rumours and only 1% (or even less) turned out to be true - and I found myself wasting my time reading the other 99% of bull****e.

Now Xabi Alonso is a player I adore and he is a huge part of LFC. No doubt in my mind there. And if he leaves, this will be a major loss for us (nevermind Mascherano).

I can't see Alonso leaving, but that's because I always think that a player should never leave Liverpool once he plays there, simply because this is the best club in the world, with rich history and the best, loudest supporters. If I was playing for Liverpool, I'd never leave LFC for another club. Never. But that's my way of thinking. Alonso is a Spaniard (well, he's basque really) and I can see him returning to Spain one day, simply because I believe that every Spaniard's dream is to play for either Real Madrid or Barcelona one day. The same is in England... Every kid's dream is to play for one of the top four clubs. And if Alonso sees the chance for playing there, he might leave us... But I can't see this happening due to various reasons:

1. Liverpool is the best club in the world and playing superbly in Europe is a proof of this,
2. There are a lot of Spaniards in the team so Xabi fookin cannot feel homesick or anything,
3. If he leaves Liverpool, he'll miss out on major trophies!

I'm not saying that rumours about Alonso are false, but I do think Xabi knows that he is more important here at Liverpool than he will ever be at Barca or Madrid. And that transfer fee of 16 million is just ridiculous.

And if these new FIFA rules change the world of footy and therefore allow players to buy out their own contracts, we might as well have a discussion about each and every player at Liverpool leaving us (except maybe Carra and Stevie).

[bazza76]

One thing that is realy hitting home of late is we wont have Rafa & Alonso for as long as we would like to have them.
I think Rafa will stay longer than Xabi though. It seems Xabi one day wants to play for Barca and follow in his fathers footsteps. Just when remains to be seen, but a footballers carreer is considerably shorter than a mangers. Another year year at Anfield maybe?. Could we even start the conspiracy theories early and suggest this is why Rafa has brough in Mascherano, because Xabi has privately told Rafa he wants out because all his family is in Spain?.
Im hoping he is here for the rest of his carreer obviously, but life would move on without him and Liverpool im sure would still continue to improve if Rafa is at the helm.

[Ron_Mexico]

as great a club as barcelona is, xabi would be absolutely mental to leave this summer

barcelona are at a crossroads- eto'o, ronaldinho, rijkaard, could all leave in the summer

we will continue to improve and will challenge for the league next season

i cant see him leaving the job undone, xabi is a man of principal

[FatTony]

Maybe thats why we bought Mascherano? 16 million is a load of balls though. Hes well worth 25 million plus.

On which planet is that?