Belfast Telegraph-
Benitez slams transfer talk
Saturday, 25 July 2009
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has rubbished speculation that a deal for Xabi Alonso has been agreed with Real Madrid.
Benitez took a swipe at the media as he confirmed the midfielder would play in tomorrow’s friendly with Singapore.
Alonso's future has been cast into doubt with reports in Spain suggesting that he is on the verge of a move to the Bernabeu.
And Benitez is becoming increasingly tired of the speculation surrounding the Anfield futures of Alonso and fellow midfielder Javier Mascherano.
The Argentina captain has been linked continuously with a move to European champions Barcelona and the Spaniard insisted that the player is an important part of his first-team squad.
“Like I said before, Alonso will enjoy the weather, the fans and the journalists. He is ready and can play," he said.
“As for Mascherano, you have a big problem now in the press.
“There are too many websites, too many newspapers, too many radio and TV stations who have to compete every day.
“It seems sometimes you repeat something and people read news that is 15 days out of date.
“Mascherano knows our ideas. He is working hard and is an important player for us.”
Benitez is delighted that his captain Steven Gerrard can now “focus on football” after being cleared of affray during his trial yesterday.
This has not been the smoothest of pre-seasons for the Reds boss, and the tour to the Far East this week has been dogged by a succession of problems.
Injuries to Martin Skrtel and Nabil El Zhar have also forced the players to return to England for treatment.
But Benitez was relieved that Gerrard was acquitted at Liverpool Crown Court following an incident in Southport on December 29 last year.
Benitez said: “We are really pleased. He is very important for us and he can now focus just on football. We have been supporting him and just waiting for the decision. Now he can concentrate just on football and hopefully play at the same level as last year.”
New signing Glen Johnson may miss out on tomorrow's game as he recovers from an Achilles injury. Benitez said: “We are being careful with Glen. We do not want to do any further damage.”
Benitez slams transfer talk
Saturday, 25 July 2009
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has rubbished speculation that a deal for Xabi Alonso has been agreed with Real Madrid.
Benitez took a swipe at the media as he confirmed the midfielder would play in tomorrow’s friendly with Singapore.
Alonso's future has been cast into doubt with reports in Spain suggesting that he is on the verge of a move to the Bernabeu.
And Benitez is becoming increasingly tired of the speculation surrounding the Anfield futures of Alonso and fellow midfielder Javier Mascherano.
The Argentina captain has been linked continuously with a move to European champions Barcelona and the Spaniard insisted that the player is an important part of his first-team squad.
“Like I said before, Alonso will enjoy the weather, the fans and the journalists. He is ready and can play," he said.
“As for Mascherano, you have a big problem now in the press.
“There are too many websites, too many newspapers, too many radio and TV stations who have to compete every day.
“It seems sometimes you repeat something and people read news that is 15 days out of date.
“Mascherano knows our ideas. He is working hard and is an important player for us.”
Benitez is delighted that his captain Steven Gerrard can now “focus on football” after being cleared of affray during his trial yesterday.
This has not been the smoothest of pre-seasons for the Reds boss, and the tour to the Far East this week has been dogged by a succession of problems.
Injuries to Martin Skrtel and Nabil El Zhar have also forced the players to return to England for treatment.
But Benitez was relieved that Gerrard was acquitted at Liverpool Crown Court following an incident in Southport on December 29 last year.
Benitez said: “We are really pleased. He is very important for us and he can now focus just on football. We have been supporting him and just waiting for the decision. Now he can concentrate just on football and hopefully play at the same level as last year.”
New signing Glen Johnson may miss out on tomorrow's game as he recovers from an Achilles injury. Benitez said: “We are being careful with Glen. We do not want to do any further damage.”
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