Congratulations Xabi!!!

[Davex2IRL]

Liverpool's Alonso misses Inter clash because of baby

From Reuters18:52Monday, 10th March, 2008
By Mark Meadows

MILAN, March 10 (Reuters) - Midfielder Xabi Alonso will miss Liverpool's Champions League match at Inter Milan on Tuesday because his girlfriend is having a baby, coach Rafael Benitez said on Monday.

Liverpool, 2-0 up from the first leg, will also be without right back Steve Finnan through injury but Javier Mascherano is fit to play after recovering from a dead leg.

"Alonso's girlfriend is having a baby so he will not be here," the Spanish coach told a news conference ahead of the last 16, second leg.

"He wanted to come if everything was okay but we couldn't wait so in the end we had to decide. I cannot wait, wait, wait - I need to use my squad. Mascherano is ok, he is fit and will be here."

During the news conference, Benitez was informed of reports that Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks had terminated talks with DIC over a stake in the club. Benitez said his side would not be distracted.

"My reaction is trying to score a goal and win the game," he said. "We know we can not defend for a long time against a very good team. We need to attack. I have a lot of confidence that we will go forward."

Last season's runners-up have won five in a row coming into the match with striker Fernando Torres and captain Steven Gerrard in top form.

Jamie Carragher, who may play right back in the absence of Finnan, is also set to become the first Liverpool player to appear in 100 European games on Tuesday.

"We know that Torres is on fire, the understanding with Gerrard is good," Benitez added. "Carragher is a player with a good mentality, he is a key player for us now and in the future."

[Owen20]

Congrats

[Shaggy]

Aye, congrats Xabi.

I don't think anyone's in a position to criticise him for putting this before the Inter game. Some of us would, some of us wouldn't - but it's his choice and, like it or not, people have got no choice but to respect it.

[Craig_H]

Has she actually dropped it yet?

Or are they leaving that to Itandje?

[Parm]

Well done Xabi!

[El Jefecito]

Liverpool's Alonso misses Inter clash because of baby

From Reuters18:52Monday, 10th March, 2008
By Mark Meadows

MILAN, March 10 (Reuters) - Midfielder Xabi Alonso will miss Liverpool's Champions League match at Inter Milan on Tuesday because his girlfriend is having a baby, coach Rafael Benitez said on Monday.

Liverpool, 2-0 up from the first leg, will also be without right back Steve Finnan through injury but Javier Mascherano is fit to play after recovering from a dead leg.

"Alonso's girlfriend is having a baby so he will not be here," the Spanish coach told a news conference ahead of the last 16, second leg.

"He wanted to come if everything was okay but we couldn't wait so in the end we had to decide. I cannot wait, wait, wait - I need to use my squad. Mascherano is ok, he is fit and will be here."

During the news conference, Benitez was informed of reports that Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks had terminated talks with DIC over a stake in the club. Benitez said his side would not be distracted.

"My reaction is trying to score a goal and win the game," he said. "We know we can not defend for a long time against a very good team. We need to attack. I have a lot of confidence that we will go forward."

Last season's runners-up have won five in a row coming into the match with striker Fernando Torres and captain Steven Gerrard in top form.

Jamie Carragher, who may play right back in the absence of Finnan, is also set to become the first Liverpool player to appear in 100 European games on Tuesday.

"We know that Torres is on fire, the understanding with Gerrard is good," Benitez added. "Carragher is a player with a good mentality, he is a key player for us now and in the future."

**** Xabi, Carra is about to become a legend. Given our history and he is going to be the first to 100

[DannyMan2006]

I don't blame him, but I'm not exactly gonna sing his praises either.

[NICKZS]

Yeah, that sounds like a massively strained relationship

[Rhys]

cunt. lfc before family i say,



oj, well in xabi laaaaa! is his missus fit?

[Sarb]

Congratulations Xabi. I can understand why he has done what he has done. Rafa should not be so stubborn either

[tsb]

Congrats on the babi, Xabi.

[Joe King]

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2008/03/11/xabi-alonso-to-miss-inter-clash-after-row-with-rafael-benitez-89520-20347634/

Xabi Alonso to miss Inter clash after row with Rafael Benitez

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SENSATION Xabi to miss Milan clash after baby row with Rafa

Liverpool's Champions League plans were in turmoil last night after Rafa Benitez banned Xabi Alonso from the side to face Inter Milan.

Alonso's Anfield future is in serious doubt after their falling-out overshadowed Liverpool's build-up to this evening's big game.

The Spaniard wanted to be with his girlfriend Nagore for the birth of his first child before travelling to Italy on a later flight than his team-mates for the crunch encounter at the San Siro.

But Benitez, frustrated and angry, ruled out the prospect of Alonso making the trip, and insisted he was ready to go with the players who travelled.
Advertisement

"We could not wait and hear no information," he said. "In the end we had to decide because I can't wait and wait and wait for one player right until the end, when you don't know what's going on.

"The question is, when you can't change anything, the most important thing is to think about what you do with the other players."

Benitez's actions will shock many observers who believe that Alonso has the right to attend the birth of his child.

But the Liverpool boss was adamant that nothing would disrupt his plans as he plotted his side's route into the last eight.

Tension has simmered between the pair for months as Alonso has struggled to regain his place after a lengthy absence with a broken metatarsal.

The Spanish midfielder was angry that he was overlooked for youngster Lucas Leiva, a player with lesser experience, and had several showdowns with his manager.

This new problem comes just days after it seemed Alonso had finally regained his place, after star ting in impressive victories against Bolton, West Ham and Newcastle.

Liverpool owner Tom Hicks yesterday issued a statement explaining that he had called of fall talks of a partial takeover with DIC, the investment arm of the Dubai government.

The two groups of businessmen had hoped to thrash out a deal where they shared power at Anfield, with Hicks owning 51 per cent of shares and DIC 49 per cent.

But the American revealed that the Arabs wanted to run Liverpool on a committee basis, with every decision going to an extensive vote.

Hicks said that he simply refused to countenance such a convoluted management structure, which effectively takes the Liverpool ownership issue back to square one.

[lfcchris]

Congratulations Xabi, Family ALWAYS come first!!!!!!

[Shaggy]

Congratulations Xabi, Family ALWAYS come first!!!!!!

Try telling that to knobheads like Ian Botham and Nasser Hussain

[Imy]

Congratulations Xabi, Family ALWAYS come first!!!!!!

and your health does also, no wealth without health.

I work to live not live to work