Espanyol v Liverpool FC - Match & Post-match

[Craig_H]

To me, that says everything. Alonso's off.

[Guest]

I couldn't see a scenario in which Alonso wouldn't be on the bench. That would be very bad negotiating.

If Xabi gets in around 55-60 minutes, then maybe I'll think differently, but he'll probably just come on in the last 10 minutes of the game, if at all.

Doesn't mean anything either way. He was injured with an ankle injury last week so he probably didn't train much and he had only 10 minutes or so in Singapore. Would have been a bit preposterous to put him on from the start and playing 60 minutes or so of a game Rafa (so it seems from the starting line up) intends to take it very seriously in terms of building match fitness.

Yes it doesn't mean he'll stay but it equally doesn't mean he'll go. He's still in contention and if his transfer was so close (reading all the rumours) I'm pretty sure he wouldn't have figured at all.

[Pablo]

If he was off I doubt he'd even be named on the bench.

This proves nothing definitively apart from we are all a bunch of drama queens

[Guest]

To me, that says everything. Alonso's off.

I refute this categorically.

[DannyMan2006]

Or it is because he is unsure still if Real will meet our valuation and wants to have Lucas prepared just in case.

Most sensible and obvious comment there.

We all know Alonso is likely to leave, so it is best all round to play Lucas. If Alonso was definitely leaving he will not play tonight. Similar to the Michael Owen situation back in 2004/05. Just play him if we have to.

If he plays the deal is not yet done. But we must prepare for the likely outcome.

[JohnDoe]

Doesn't mean anything either way. He was injured with an ankle injury last week so he probably didn't train much and he had only 10 minutes or so in Singapore. Would have been a bit preposterous to put him on from the start and playing 60 minutes or so of a game Rafa (so it seems from the starting line up) intends to take it very seriously in terms of building match fitness.

Yes it doesn't mean he'll stay but it equally doesn't mean he'll go. He's still in contention and if his transfer was so close (reading all the rumours) I'm pretty sure he wouldn't have figured at all.

So if he got 10 minutes in Singapore, let's say he should be getting at least 30 today, wouldn't you agree?

So if Xabi doesn't come on around the 60th minute, he's off.

There, I've put my foot down

[Craig_H]

Most sensible and obvious comment there.

We all know Alonso is likely to leave, so it is best all round to play Lucas. If Alonso was definitely leaving he will not play tonight. Similar to the Michael Owen situation back in 2004/05. Just play him if we have to.

If he plays the deal is not yet done. But we must prepare for the likely outcome.

Michael Owen was named on the bench that day too.

[Tatterdemalion]

If he was off I doubt he'd even be named on the bench.

This proves nothing definitively apart from we are all a bunch of drama queens

... I just can't believe he's leaving.....

[Guest]

So if he got 10 minutes in Singapore, let's say he should be getting at least 30 today, wouldn't you agree?

So if Xabi doesn't come on around the 60th minute, he's off.

There, I've put my foot down

Seems logical but maybe 20 minutes will do.

You know what are my exact sentiments, knowing how Rafa is and also knowing that he's been given more control on team matters and especially him having more of a say in the business of buying and selling players, I doubt it he'll let Alonso go so close to the start of the season.

It means sense from a business perspective to sell him at the price being purported for, i.e £35m or so, so it's normal that he's leaving options open and looking for backup solutions, such as Aquilani.

He's probably looked at the market, looked at what United lost in terms of quality (Ronaldo/Tevez), and also looked at Chelsea and Man. City and probably concluded that they don't possess more of a threat to last season, even if we happen to lose Xabi and we have to bed another player in so late into our preparations.

Still, it's not a flawless tactic, as United can still go back and buy some world class player, but I'd say this is highly unlikely, as transfer fees has spiralled out of proportion this season.

[andrewces38]

Michael Owen was named on the bench that day too.

That was a Champions league qualifier there's a bit off a difference to a friendly and if a deal was so close why would/should he be on the bench?.....get him fit for Madrid?...............I think not............so basically Im just as clear about his situation as everone else on here.............anyway any streams

[Mattshark]

http://livefooty.doctor-serv.com/

[JohnDoe]

*It's the 60th minute, Rafa is writing a new paella recipe in his notepad when Sammy Lee calls him*

"Rafa, it's Valdano on the phone."

"Hello, Mr. Valdano"

"Hello Rafa, I was talking with Perez and he says £28m + £3m add ons and some Mars bars to sweeten the deal"

"Hmm..."

"You like chocolate, don't you Rafa?"

"That's not good enough, Jorge"

"Come on, Rafa, look at Xabi sitting there all sad and gloomy with his Ginger beard. Let him go. You can buy two and a half Cattermoles with that"

"Not good enough. Anyway, it's the 60th minute and by Fredo's calculations, Xabi needs to come on in 10 minutes"

"No, wait Rafa. £29m + £4m, a couple of Mars bars and some pastries"

"Pastries... With hot chocolate inside, yes?"

"Yes, Rafa, yes!"

"And donuts. With sprinkles"

"Okay okay"

"I don't know. I still want £35m. No deal"

"That's it, Rafa then. I'm hanging up"

"Sure, hang up. I'll bring up Xabi now"

"...."

"Maybe I will talk to him about the tackling"

"...."

"I tell him to tackle really hard today"

"Okay, Rafa! £35m. Mierda"

[Guest]

Anyone know how to view the stream from the offal on fullscreen? Tried that the other day but there didn't seem to have an option whatsoever!

I know you've watched it from there once Craig, any ideas?

[Guest]

Yeah Mr. Doe, that's it.

[RoadEnd]

Anyone know how to view the stream from the offal on fullscreen? Tried that the other day but there didn't seem to have an option whatsoever!

I know you've watched it from there once Craig, any ideas?

Right click on the media player and choose "zoom" and then "Full screen"