Rafa Benitez tells Xabi Alonso: Step things up
Feb 4 2008
by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
RAFAEL BENITEZ believes Xabi Alonso must raise his game to win back a place in the Liverpool starting line-up.
The Spanish midfielder, who played the full 90 minutes of the midweek defeat at West Ham United, failed to make even the bench for Saturday’s 3-0 victory over Sunderland at Anfield.
Alonso has struggled to rediscover his form after twice being sidelined this season with a metatarsal problem.
The 26-year-old suffered the initial problem in September which was then aggravated during his comeback match at home to Arsenal in late October.
Alonso returned to action six weeks ago, but has since started just five games as he competes with Javier Mascherano and Lucas for a place in central midfield alongside Steven Gerrard.
Alonso’s hopes of an immediate chance to stake his claims will be frustrated as the Spaniard is suspended for Sunday’s visit to Chelsea after picking up a fifth domestic booking of the season at Upton Park.
And Benitez said: “Xabi needs to step it up. When you are not 100% fit, you want to play every game because you need to play more games to build up your fitness.
“But if Gerrard, Mascherano or Lucas are playing well, it means there is competition for places which is good for the team.
“Xabi knows he needs to work harder if we wants to have a place in the team.
“Mascherano was back from suspension and he gives us balance in the middle and Gerrard can be more free going forward.
“Lucas was playing really well the other day so we had three midfielders, and we needed to have wingers or strikers on the bench. That’s why Alonso was not in the squad on Saturday.”
http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0...name_page.html
Feb 4 2008
by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
RAFAEL BENITEZ believes Xabi Alonso must raise his game to win back a place in the Liverpool starting line-up.
The Spanish midfielder, who played the full 90 minutes of the midweek defeat at West Ham United, failed to make even the bench for Saturday’s 3-0 victory over Sunderland at Anfield.
Alonso has struggled to rediscover his form after twice being sidelined this season with a metatarsal problem.
The 26-year-old suffered the initial problem in September which was then aggravated during his comeback match at home to Arsenal in late October.
Alonso returned to action six weeks ago, but has since started just five games as he competes with Javier Mascherano and Lucas for a place in central midfield alongside Steven Gerrard.
Alonso’s hopes of an immediate chance to stake his claims will be frustrated as the Spaniard is suspended for Sunday’s visit to Chelsea after picking up a fifth domestic booking of the season at Upton Park.
And Benitez said: “Xabi needs to step it up. When you are not 100% fit, you want to play every game because you need to play more games to build up your fitness.
“But if Gerrard, Mascherano or Lucas are playing well, it means there is competition for places which is good for the team.
“Xabi knows he needs to work harder if we wants to have a place in the team.
“Mascherano was back from suspension and he gives us balance in the middle and Gerrard can be more free going forward.
“Lucas was playing really well the other day so we had three midfielders, and we needed to have wingers or strikers on the bench. That’s why Alonso was not in the squad on Saturday.”
http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0...name_page.html
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