Xabi Alonso - Fee Agreed (Official)

[Imy]

When was the last time we lost a player at his peak? Macmoneyman?

[Assassin]

When was the last time we lost a player at his peak? Macmoneyman?

Jimmy Carter

[lickedlollipop]

I feel sick.

[Neil Young]

I don't think it's so terrible. He wanted to go and we've got good money for him. We know Rafa planned to replace him a year ago and although he obviously had a very good season since then, Rafa has clearly worked out an alternative plan.

Whether the plan works remains to be seen but the I'd say Alonso was our fifth or sixth most important player (after Gerrard, Torres, Reina, Mascherano and possibly Carragher). He's not irreplaceable and I don't think he was the "heartbeat of the team" or whatever other hyped-up cliché the Press has bequeathed us.

Life goes on.

[johnly]

It will absolutely sicken me to the pit of my stomach to see Xabi celebrating goals etc with Cristiano cunting Ronaldo

Ugggh! hopefully Xabi's celebration will involve him punching Gayboy flush in the face

[Shaggy]

Whether the plan works remains to be seen but the I'd say Alonso was our fifth or sixth most important player (after Gerrard, Torres, Reina, Mascherano and possibly Carragher).

Interesting point. Hard to argue really, although having said that I do subscribe to the 'he made us tick' school of thought. In so many games down the years when he was a sub, our passing would be poor and incohesive - then Xabi would come on and it would instantly improve, as he knitted everything together. He was the metronome and the orchestrator.

Still, there's more than one way to skin a cat and plenty more fish in the sea. *desperately tries to think of more creature-related clichés*

[dizzycat]

I'm hoping that we get someone who's more mobile and who can carry the ball a bit in that position. With the space that our forwards create a slightly different cm could do serious damage.

[Roboklopp]

Pretty cold about this now it is official. Cant bring myself to hate him, but I wont be wearing my Alonso top again & I wont be wishing him well with them cunts.

By my reckoning that leaves us 2 CMs, 1 CB, 1 reserve full-back who can play both flanks, a back-up striker & a top-level LW player short of where we really need to be to be very top.

We will start next season a lot weaker at this rate. Cant summon much excitement for the start of 09-10.

[Roboklopp]

Interesting point. Hard to argue really, although having said that I do subscribe to the 'he made us tick' school of thought. In so many games down the years when he was a sub, our passing would be poor and incohesive - then Xabi would come on and it would instantly improve, as he knitted everything together. He was the metronome and the orchestrator.
Still, there's more than one way to skin a cat and plenty more fish in the sea. *desperately tries to think of more creature-related clichés*

Agree with this all too much, sadly.

[Neil Young]

Interesting point. Hard to argue really, although having said that I do subscribe to the 'he made us tick' school of thought. In so many games down the years when he was a sub, our passing would be poor and incohesive - then Xabi would come on and it would instantly improve, as he knitted everything together. He was the metronome and the orchestrator.

Still, there's more than one way to skin a cat and plenty more fish in the sea. *desperately tries to think of more creature-related clichés*

I'd agree of course that he's an excellent passer - the best in the team - and, with the squad we had, we were a better team with him than without him.

How much of a loss him leaving proves to be naturally depends on who comes in and how the team is set up in his absence. If he'd just upped and left then I'd be more concerned but as I said Benitez has had over a year to ponder how to improve us without Alonso.

There's no guarantee we'll be weaker without him and we might even be stronger and, although obviously there is uncertainty over how long a new player (or two) might take to adapt, it might end up being a question of having to take one step back to take two forward.

[Craig_H]

AA is a Central midfielder, far more offensive than Alonso has ever been

Was talking about Hamsik.

[Shaggy]

However, an anonymous source revealed to Goal.com's Mohammed Bhana that the fee agreed between the Merseysiders and the Spanish giants is €34 million. We also understand that Liverpool held out for the full fee and would not accept anything less.

Reds manager Rafa Benitez had been extremely reluctant to part with the player, whose possible exit has been talked about almost since the last ball was kicked at the end of last season.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2009/08/04/1422012/official-liverpool-agree-34m-deal-to-take-xabi-alonso-to

[Craig_H]

How much of a loss him leaving proves to be naturally depends on who comes in and how the team is set up in his absence. If he'd just upped and left then I'd be more concerned but as I said Benitez has had over a year to ponder how to improve us without Alonso.

I think he'd planned to use Barry for that.

[vlahka]

I'm back to breaking things WHILE crying.

[Craig_H]

http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/englan...xabi-alonso-to

That would've been less than £29m. Considering Madrid are flushed with cash to spend, i'm disappointed with that fee.