Alonso wont quit Liverpool.

[The Erectile Banana]

Would you keep lucas over alonso?

On current form? Yes.

Lucas didn't do a great amount this season but he has the potential to be a really good player for us for seasons to come.

I've always been a big Xabi fan but I really think he has been below par for the last two seasons. I'd hate to see him go but I think we have seen the best of him in a red shirt and that he may need a move to reinvigorate him.

If we can get £10-£15M for him and bring in Barry as a replacement I would be happy enough.

[The Birdman]

Alonso has been rubbish for 2 seasons and is still revered, Kuyt was rubbish for 3 months after his Dad passed away and people wanted him gone.
We can't blame 2 poor seasons on injury, the truth is that premiership teams have worked him out and don't allow him time on the ball. He's a little like Riise in the way that people remember a couple of free kicks from JAR seasons ago and still thinks he's a good player, everyone remembers Xabi's 1st season when no-one knew him and also remember a couple of long rage goals.
Just look at the stats for assists over the last couple of years, Xabi's passing is easy on the eye but often ineffective, 40 yard passes from side to side don't hurt the opposition.
I think Xabi is a good player who is suited to the Italian or Spanish leagues. Riise is suited to the Sunday Morning pub leagues as 3rd sub

[JPK]

Xabi Welcomes Competition From Barry

After recently confirming he's staying at Anfield, Liverpool's Xabi Alonso has gone one better, insisting he would welcome the competition from transfer target and his mooted replacement, Aston Villa's Gareth Barry...
Alonso, 26, has not enjoyed his best season with the Reds. Injuries have played their part in ruling him out during the season and he has failed to hit top form, with new signing Lucas Leiva beating him to a first team place at one point in the season.

He has been strongly linked with a move away from Anfield this summer - most speculating it would be abroad, back to Spain - but he has insisted he is staying at Anfield.

Speaking to the club's official website, he revealed he feels very at home and could remain at the club for "many years" yet.

Strong speculation linking with the club with Gareth Barry - another central midfielder - does not perturb the Spanish international either; he insists he would welcome even more competition. Though he, like his manager, stressed that Barry can play different positions, which suggests that the 27-year-old, who has gotten so used to being given the freedom of the park at Aston Villa, may well be tied down to a more specific role under Rafael Benitez - whether he sees this as a 'demotion' of sorts remains to be seen.

"I think I will be here next season even if Barry comes," revealed Xabi.

"He would bring good competition and he would be more than welcome. He can play different positions and if he plays in midfield then I could play with him. I have no problem with that.

"At the moment I feel I could stay here for many years. I have been here for four seasons already; why not seven or eight?

"As long as I am performing well and the club wants me to stay then I will."

Alonso also moved to clarify that there are no problems between he and Benitez, with rumours persisting that a rift between the compatriots was partially responsible for Xabi's impending departure.

"There is no problem between me and the manager and I would like to clarify that," added Xabi.

"I have read that we have had an argument but our relationship is the same as it has been since I joined Liverpool.

"I spoke to the manager only the other day. He has never said that he wants me to leave."

Ray Winston

http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=697086

[Zapater]

Xabi Alonso has reaffirmed his commitment to Liverpool Football Club and insists he has had no fall out with boss Rafael Benitez.
The Spanish midfielder had been repeatedly linked with a move away from Anfield this summer but says he has no intention of seeking a transfer and insists he wants to stay regardless of whether the club make midfield reinforcements or not.

"I think I will be here next season even if Barry comes," said Alonso.

"He would bring good competition and he would be more than welcome. He can play different positions and if he plays in midfield then I could play with him. I have no problem with that.

"At the moment I feel I could stay here for many years. I have been here for four seasons already; why not seven or eight?

"As long as I am performing well and the club wants me to stay then I will."

The Spain international also denied any rift between him and boss Rafael Benitez and believes the Reds manager also sees his future at Anfield.

"There is no problem between me and the manager and I would like to clarify that," he added.

"I have read that we have had an argument but our relationship is the same as it has been since I joined Liverpool.

"I spoke to the manager only the other day. He has never said that he wants me to leave."

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N159924080515-1226.htm

Seeing this is from the official site hopefully it stops these reports coming.

Xabi

[Skillz]

Xabi Alonso has reaffirmed his commitment to Liverpool Football Club and insists he has had no fall out with boss Rafael Benitez.
The Spanish midfielder had been repeatedly linked with a move away from Anfield this summer but says he has no intention of seeking a transfer and insists he wants to stay regardless of whether the club make midfield reinforcements or not.

"I think I will be here next season even if Barry comes," said Alonso.

"He would bring good competition and he would be more than welcome. He can play different positions and if he plays in midfield then I could play with him. I have no problem with that.

"At the moment I feel I could stay here for many years. I have been here for four seasons already; why not seven or eight?

"As long as I am performing well and the club wants me to stay then I will."

The Spain international also denied any rift between him and boss Rafael Benitez and believes the Reds manager also sees his future at Anfield.

"There is no problem between me and the manager and I would like to clarify that," he added.

"I have read that we have had an argument but our relationship is the same as it has been since I joined Liverpool.

"I spoke to the manager only the other day. He has never said that he wants me to leave."

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N159924080515-1226.htm

Seeing this is from the official site hopefully it stops these reports coming.

Xabi

Be very happy if Xabi is still playing for us next year. He needs to pick up but I have seen enough to think he can. He certainly hasn't been as bad as some have said.

[Nic83]

If we do sign Barry, as is looking increasingly likely, I don't see how he can't be off.

We don't need Mascher, Barry, Lucas, Plessis and Alonso for two positions.

Plessis will stay in the reserves. Lucas I doubt has much of a future at LFC if his performances stay at the current level

I'll be happy with barry if only for the reason that he can get Gerrard off corners

[carlton]

Plessis will stay in the reserves. Lucas I doubt has much of a future at LFC if his performances stay at the current level

I'll be happy with barry if only for the reason that he can get Gerrard off corners

Christ on a bike you would have got rid of players like ronaldo and drogba after their first seasons.

[mark1975]

I'm not a big fan of Nic83's opinion

Saved me the bother, ****ing hell, I can't believe how eager people are to slate a player who's just had a sound first season on a new continent. He's young, he doesn't look out of place, Gerrard seems to rate him highly too. He's a good'un.

[Roboklopp]

Mate's mate works for Radio City as journo & gets to speak to Rafa.

Reckons Xabi defintiely off, Barry definitely in.

Is all.

[Kev_81]

More Xabi to Juve stuff in the Italian press today, Says they will pay 13m euros, we wanted 16,

He signed a new contract last year, Benitez has lost the plot if he takes £10m.

[Skillz]

More Xabi to Juve stuff in the Italian press today, Says they will pay 13m euros, we wanted 16,

He signed a new contract last year, Benitez has lost the plot if he takes £10m.

No chance that will happen.

[Kev_81]

From Corriere dello sport today,

Jean-Claude Blanc in fact is flown in England in order to close the negotiation for Xabi Alonso. As he is in its style l' to bianconero he prefers to find l' understanding with the society interested before dealing with the player, and l' agreement with the Liverpool appears nearest; initially the distance between l' offer of the Juventus, approximately 13 million, and the demand for the English club, 20, was much wide, but it seems that the two societies could close within short for a figure around 16-17 million Euro. Also regarding the contract to propose the player noin they would have to be to us problems: the centrocampista, than currently earns 3,5 million Euro all' year, seems is not disposed to move less from Anfield Road in order than 4 million to season; the Club of Ferraris Course, initially restio to a such investment, seems ready to come encounter to its requirements above all after to have lost Flamini.

Looks like he is offski

[homer1]

From Corriere dello sport today,

Jean-Claude Blanc in fact is flown in England in order to close the negotiation for Xabi Alonso. As he is in its style l' to bianconero he prefers to find l' understanding with the society interested before dealing with the player, and l' agreement with the Liverpool appears nearest; initially the distance between l' offer of the Juventus, approximately 13 million, and the demand for the English club, 20, was much wide, but it seems that the two societies could close within short for a figure around 16-17 million Euro. Also regarding the contract to propose the player noin they would have to be to us problems: the centrocampista, than currently earns 3,5 million Euro all' year, seems is not disposed to move less from Anfield Road in order than 4 million to season; the Club of Ferraris Course, initially restio to a such investment, seems ready to come encounter to its requirements above all after to have lost Flamini.

Looks like he is offski

Are they reliable mate?

[Kev_81]

Are they reliable mate?

Pretty much.

[homer1]

Pretty much.