Xabi Alonso.......Respect

[Joe Le Toff]

IMO Xabi is moving the ball a lot quicker than in previous seasons and isnt getting caught out as much in possession.

I still think his distribution isnt to the level it was when he first arrived, but this is a player who can put a 90 yard pass on a sixpence so i expect it to return.

His class has never been in doubt for me but based on his level of performance for the last 18 months i can see why Rafa wanted to move him on.

[carheex]

He can say all the nice things that he likes........the fact remains though that despite a slight upturn in form this season, his poor performances have still far outweighed his good ones since he joined us. Yes, he seems like a nice chap but that's not enough to deserve a place in the starting line up of a team with plans to win the league.

[Guest]

He can say all the nice things that he likes........the fact remains though that despite a slight upturn in form this season, his poor performances have still far outweighed his good ones since he joined us. Yes, he seems like a nice chap but that's not enough to deserve a place in the starting line up of a team with plans to win the league.

[Dhav]

He can say all the nice things that he likes........the fact remains though that despite a slight upturn in form this season, his poor performances have still far outweighed his good ones since he joined us. Yes, he seems like a nice chap but that's not enough to deserve a place in the starting line up of a team with plans to win the league.

Jesus Christ! Never has anyone on here had a more appropriate title than you! Est's Paul Merson indeed. I'm surprised you haven't managed to wangle yourself a job on Sky as a football pundit. You'd fit in nicely between Merson and Redknapp.

[Roboklopp]

Was firmly in the Xabi camp- even singing his name that night, altho not the Barry chants cos I could see the merits of having both.

Didnt think anyone that was open about their Bazza support was that negative about Xabi- except Frodo who was on one a bit again...

Still, ace to see Xabi back to form & long may it continue. He is making us tick again.

[carheex]

Jesus Christ! Never has anyone on here had a more appropriate title than you! Est's Paul Merson indeed. I'm surprised you haven't managed to wangle yourself a job on Sky as a football pundit. You'd fit in nicely between Merson and Redknapp.

And you're probably one of the countless fairweather fans that change your opinion on the team/players/tactics/manager in the blink of an eye depending on the results of a handful of games. If you don't like hearing opions that don't match your own, don't go onto forums and don't listen to pundits.

Alonso isn't good enough for LFC - Rafa knows it and that's what matters. Make no mistake, the ONLY reason Xabi is still here is because Rafa wasn't allowed to buy Barry.

[dww]

And you're probably one of the countless fairweather fans that change your opinion on the team/players/tactics/manager in the blink of an eye depending on the results of a handful of games. If you don't like hearing opions that don't match your own, don't go onto forums and don't listen to pundits.

Alonso isn't good enough for LFC - Rafa knows it and that's what matters. Make no mistake, the ONLY reason Xabi is still here is because Rafa wasn't allowed to buy Barry.

I think you are conflating at least two arguments there to be honest. It is clear that Rafa wanted to let Xabi go and bring in Barry. That isn't necessarily to say that Alonso is not good enough, merely that he is not the type of player Rafa felt we needed. On top of that last seasons Alonso was a shadow of what he had been before (in nearly everyones opinion) if he has now improved then even if he wasn't good enough previously he might well be now.

Personally I think the improvement has been as much in those around him as in Xabi himself. If there is room for him to exploit as a deep lying playmaker I would always have backed him to do so. I however questioned whether over a PL season our team/squad was good enough to do that as he seemed unlikely to make space for himself.

I think so far this season other players have stepped up and as a consequence he has looked better. In addition he has been making himself space to play. The latter may or may not be influenced by the amount the opposition is worrying about others but it is certainly to his credit.

[Reece]

If Alonso isn't good enough for LFC...... well we should probably get rid of about 90% of our squad then. IMO.

[saj]

And you're probably one of the countless fairweather fans that change your opinion on the team/players/tactics/manager in the blink of an eye depending on the results of a handful of games. If you don't like hearing opions that don't match your own, don't go onto forums and don't listen to pundits.

Alonso isn't good enough for LFC - Rafa knows it and that's what matters. Make no mistake, the ONLY reason Xabi is still here is because Rafa wasn't allowed to buy Barry.

Think you need to get your facts right - Barry's transfer was not dependant on the potential sale of Alonso. Read Rafa's quotes. He was not allowed to sign Barry at that price as the owners did not feel that it was justfied to sign a 28 year old as he would have virtually no sell on value and we already had a lot of midfielders. Even most Liverpool fans who live in a cave with no access to any media whatsoever know this.

Riera would definately not have signed had Barry signed for us. Remember Rafa's quote where he was indirectly referring to Barry: "He's English and can play 3 positions" - Left back, left wing, Midfield

[bobbyfallon]

I think you are conflating at least two arguments there to be honest. It is clear that Rafa wanted to let Xabi go and bring in Barry. That isn't necessarily to say that Alonso is not good enough, merely that he is not the type of player Rafa felt we needed. On top of that last seasons Alonso was a shadow of what he had been before (in nearly everyones opinion) if he has now improved then even if he wasn't good enough previously he might well be now.

Personally I think the improvement has been as much in those around him as in Xabi himself. If there is room for him to exploit as a deep lying playmaker I would always have backed him to do so. I however questioned whether over a PL season our team/squad was good enough to do that as he seemed unlikely to make space for himself.

I think so far this season other players have stepped up and as a consequence he has looked better. In addition he has been making himself space to play. The latter may or may not be influenced by the amount the opposition is worrying about others but it is certainly to his credit.

dww - have to get the dictionary out to read your posts

[BFG]

If Alonso isn't good enough for LFC...... well we should probably get rid of about 90% of our squad then. IMO.

Class player, great to see him playing well.

I was one that would have swapped him for Barry in the summer but keeping Xabi and him playing well again is even better.

Is there a single thread in the football section that isn't full of sniping these days. We're top of the league, wtf would happen if we were Spurs?

[bobbyfallon]

mass suicide bfg

[Harv]

cant believe you thought you were going to get away with that

similar to you in what way - same colour eyes maybe
also midfield maestro and aussie just dont fit in the same sentance :bird:

how does one like them apples harvey

Why?

I played football all through school and still do, and i based my game on these types of players (Redondo being my fave). I haven't said im anywhere near their level, but i play a similar role in my teams. Thats how we are "similar".

not a huge fan of apples buddy, they are overrated. Banana's are your money fruit

[Fierce]

By the way, great start by us this season. Rafa is proving me wrong so far and I'm going to be a happy man if I have to hold my hands up at the end of the season and say I was wrong about him .

Fair do's mate

[bobbyfallon]

Why?

I played football all through school and still do, and i based my game on these types of players (Redondo being my fave). I haven't said im anywhere near their level, but i play a similar role in my teams. Thats how we are "similar".

not a huge fan of apples buddy, they are overrated. Banana's are your money fruit

just trying to be smart - bored ****in stupid