alonso is a major doubt for tomorrow!!

[brightred]

Speedy

OPINIONATED!

[spider-neil]

momo and alonso injuried is bad news as an relapse by gerrard's toe and there is no cover for his position. I guess with the large bench you can have lucas on the bench just in case.

[carheex]

lasted only 5 mins in training tonight, major doubt so if anything happens to masher or gerrard during the game we're short as momo is at home.
http://www.newsnow.co.uk/cgi/NGoto/229257546?-11194

A blessing in disguise if ever there was one.

[carheex]

go check out the accurate passes thread then

Passing stats can be very misleading indeed. It takes 2 to make a pass a success, the giver and the receiver(!). It isn't always the giver fault if it doesn't reach it's target.

[bobbyfallon]

A blessing in disguise if ever there was one.

have to agree here. i for one think he could be heading for the exit door next summer. so that will still leave momo steve macher and levia. levia will get integrated throughout the season with cc cup and fa cap games and hopefully ready to step up next year

[Joe King]

have to agree here. i for one think he could be heading for the exit door next summer. so that will still leave momo steve macher and levia. levia will get integrated throughout the season with cc cup and fa cap games and hopefully ready to step up next year

ITS LEIVA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah, he looks more comfortable on the ball unlike Xabi. Xabi has that Momo fever to him now, he is less composed on the ball then he ever was.

[Los Rojos]

Some of the criticism Alonso gets on this forum is a little surprising. He's one of the best midfielders we've had at the club over the last 15-20 years.

[Maxiedge]

Some of the criticism Alonso gets on this forum is a little surprising. He's one of the best midfielders we've had at the club over the last 15-20 years.

The overall criticism is wholly unjustified. I think he looks pretty composed on the ball and there's been a couple of examples recently when he's been under pressure facing his own goal but instead of booting it out (like many other players would do) he tries to find a bit of space, turn and find a red shirt. Class.

His free kicks are fookin useless though.

[AFII]

Xabi Alonso out of Porto clash

Sep 18 2007 By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

XABI ALONSO has played havoc with Rafa Benitez’s selection plans by limping out of last night’s final training session in Porto.

The Spanish playmaker aggravated a foot injury sustained against Portsmouth on Saturday making it highly unlikely he will feature in Portugal tonight.

Benitez was pondering pairing Alonso and Javier Mascherano in central midfield, with skipper Steven Gerrard possibly moving to the right to counter the threat of Porto dangerman Ricardo Quaresma.

But with Momo Sissoko left on Merseyside for family reasons, Gerrard and rookie Lucas are the remaining central midfielders in the 19-man squad vying to join Mascherano.

That’s sure to force the Anfield boss into a tactical rethink, with the captain now likely to partner the Argentinian in his more favoured central midfield role.

Despite the setback of possibly losing Alonso, Benitez is confident his side heads back into Europe having fully recovered from their demoralising defeat in Athens last May.

Although he’s led his side to two Champions League finals within three years, Benitez says his squad now has the extra firepower to add to its customary overseas know-how.

Liverpool are bidding to become the first English team to beat the Portuguese side on their own patch, and Benitez is sure his players can maintain their impressive run abroad.

“Every year you think about the differences you can make to the team to improve, and we did this after the final in Athens last season,” explained Benitez.

“We are a different Liverpool in some ways because the team is better than before. I was pleased with the team that took us to the final, but I’m more pleased now because of the players we can use.

“Tactically, the players know what to do because they have a lot of experience in Europe. Some players may change, but the side knows the right way to play.

“For me, this first game can be just as important as the final because we need to start winning quickly in this competition if we want to progress. “I can see the team is confident in every game, whether it’s the league or Champions League.

“I don’t think we have more pressure on us because of what we’ve achieved in the past in Europe. Our record shows we have experience of playing well, but this is a new season and we must start again.”

John Arne Riise misses out with a groin strain.

CLICKY - The Echo

[bobbyfallon]

Some of the criticism Alonso gets on this forum is a little surprising. He's one of the best midfielders we've had at the club over the last 15-20 years.

i am not criticising xabi, im just saying i think he will move on next summer. has been fantstic for us and his tackling stats speak for themselves. i think if macher signs a permenant deal then the ideal CM is steve and macher with alonso gettin pissed off and deciding to leave......

[paulc]

He is you know.
http://www.uefa.com/footballeurope/c...n=1/index.html

are you sure that site is up to date? If it is then we are in truoble as the yanks have sold the club back to Moores and signed Bolo back!!

[carheex]

Some of the criticism Alonso gets on this forum is a little surprising. He's one of the best midfielders we've had at the club over the last 15-20 years.

No one is saying he doesn't have the talent - we just haven't seen it for a long time.

[Craig_H]

why is mono at home?

Might be wrong, but i think you're not meant to travel overseas during the Holy month of Ramadan.

[Morph]

Might be wrong, but i think you're not meant to travel overseas during the Holy month of Ramadan.

it's because his wife/girlfriend is due to drop a little-un

[Craig_H]

it's because his wife/girlfriend is due to drop a little-un

Must be his wife then, if he's a practising muslim

And i still think overseas travel is forbidden during Ramadan. But yeah.