Alonso Speaks...

[Shaggy]

Well, he made a big mistake when he started to tout Alonso around without being certain that Barry would be in the bag and at what price.

I think that's fair enough.

[Craig_H]

I admire him too Shaggy and yes, having belief in your own mind and methods is important without doubt.

Being totally inflexible and not seeing where something needs changing however, is counter productive.

[kingfunk]

Well, he made a big mistake when he started to tout Alonso around without being certain that Barry would be in the bag and at what price.

Yep, But we cannot ignore the role that the yanks have played in this saga either, I dont think that Alonso would have being touted around if rafa was not under such cash restraints, Someone had to go to raise funds, I think the reason Alonso was singled out was personal (Because he decided to be there for the birth of his child and not with the squad). That is a small problem with rafa, if you cross him he cannot let it go.

[BFG]

Who cares?

He's gone and the club goes on. Whether that's because Rafa upset him or anything else it makes no difference but I think it's worth bearing in mind that Madrid was always on his mind and he'd never have pulled on the red jersey if Real had come up with the money in 2004. It's rather naive to think that he'd have been a red for life without the tiff and even more naive to think he wouldn't point to that as his sole reason for leaving if he thought it would go down better with the fans.

[red g]

he was giving in an interview he has hardly going to tell the truth is he!!!

its a good excuse about the selling of him last year, pretty sure he would have gone anyway.

it must be difficult as a spaniard to turn tdown that offer from real madrd

[Craig_H]

Yep, But we cannot ignore the role that the yanks have played in this saga either, I dont think that Alonso would have being touted around if rafa was not under such cash restraints, Someone had to go to raise funds, I think the reason Alonso was singled out was personal (Because he decided to be there for the birth of his child and not with the squad). That is a small problem with rafa, if you cross him he cannot let it go.

To be fair, a year or so ago, the cash issues werent much to complain about. We'd recently bought Torres, Mascherano, Skrtel and others, so the yanks had given him plenty.

[Craig_H]

he was giving in an interview he has hardly going to tell the truth is he!!!

its a good excuse about the selling of him last year, pretty sure he would have gone anyway.

it must be difficult as a spaniard to turn tdown that offer from real madrd

Clutching at straws mate.

He could easily have used homesickness as an excuse if he'd needed one.

[kemm1]

I was gutted when he left but he's gone so it's time to get over it appreciate what he's done for us but forget about him now and move on. Unless work for Liverpool board, coaching staff or is Xabi's agent we won't know the truth. The media don't know **** , make **** up and report rumours has truth plus have their own agenda. Xabi and Rafa probably won't tell the whole truth so just move on and focus on the players that are actually here.

[JohnDoe]

Yep, But we cannot ignore the role that the yanks have played in this saga either, I dont think that Alonso would have being touted around if rafa was not under such cash restraints, Someone had to go to raise funds, I think the reason Alonso was singled out was personal (Because he decided to be there for the birth of his child and not with the squad). That is a small problem with rafa, if you cross him he cannot let it go.

He had the money to buy Keane and Riera. Rafa had no cash restraints last season.

[Craig_H]

He had the money to buy Keane and Riera. Rafa had no cash restraints last season.

Forgot those two.

[saj]

I can't be arsed using that multi quote feature thingy but I agree totally 100% with every commen Craig H has made. Rafa ****ed up - it's as simple as that. And the fact is, the team is suffering as a result. With his style of play, Xabi will easily keep on playing to a top standard for another 7 years.

[cream]

Xabi's gone, we need to move on...

[red g]

Clutching at straws mate.

He could easily have used homesickness as an excuse if he'd needed one.

its not clutching at straws, just there maybe other reasons beyond that.

[Rigadon]

So Xabi confirms what we suspected - that he is a complete pussy and started crying because his manager wanted sell him after two seasons of mediocrity.

Yup, Proving that he could have played better those 2 years, he simply wasn't motivated.

Thanks for the season and thanks for the transfer fee. Other than that, no thanks for giving us no notice. So **** off Xabi. Cunt.

The first mediocre year: Helped Liverpool reach their second Champions League final in three years and offered a new five year contract (despite rumoured interest form Juve and Barcelona).

The second mediocre year: Started well but was injured. Brought back too soon, by the manager, and struggled. Decided to be with his wife at the birth of his first child (rather than play a football game – what a cunt!). Returned to form by the end of the season and was part of the Spain squad that won the European Championship.

Sold a year later for £30m.

That is some mediocre player.

[kingfunk]

@ Craig H. (forgot the quote!) Hard to argue with that I suppose, I think it is very telling the way way Alonso says "I have always tried to do what he asked me to do on the pitch" I would take from that that they often clashed about this, Maybe rafa thought he wasnt being responsive enough to his tatics and thats why he ****ed him off? Maybe Rafa did want rid this season and has played a very smart game only to realize he might aswell have sold him for 10m because he was not going to see a penny of it. Who knows? We may never know the real reasons, Until Rafa`s autobiography!