Alonso Speaks...

[Craig_H]

just as i am

But i wasnt suggesting that you werent mate.

[red g]

But i wasnt suggesting that you werent mate.

[Maxiedge]

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.

hahaha

[tomasjj]

Now it is clear from what Xabi said that Rafas attempts to sell him was the final straw as far as he was concerned. It seems he was pissed at the way he was treated after missing the Inter game by Rafa, but he got over that, as did Rafa. But after being hawked to Juventus there was no way back.

But why? Why could Alonso not change his mind. Was it personal pride, was it vanity? I thought Alonso to be more intelligent than that. I think it is clear that Rafas actions were not the only reason that Alonso went. I think a lot also had to do with the offer Madrid presented him with, but that's only my personal opinion.
.

The crux of it, to me at least.

I reckon Xabi's bird also wanted to go home to Spain when they had the kid, coupled with the souring relationship with the boss and with views to being replaced by Barry, that made his mind up.

[Rigadon]

No-one thinks he's a mediocre footballer but do you seriously believe he played anywhere near his best for those two seasons? You thought his form was acceptable?

No – he wasn’t at his best. Was it acceptable that he had a dip in form (was injured)? Yes.

Apologies for the following two paragraphs – It has the potential to really piss people off. I’m not looking for an argument:

It is difficult (for any Liverpool fan) to be objective when discussing anything about Liverpool FC. I’m also not very good at toeing the party line and agreeing with everything Rafa says/does (I’d be a hopeless politician) – I don’t always trust his judgement. So, although I’m interested in other peoples opinions, I blame Rafa (and his inability to manage Alonso) for the sale of Alonso. I really think Xabi would have stayed, at Liverpool FC, if it had not been for Benitez. I also think that Rafa ‘made’ Alonso request a transfer, to save face (I think Rafa was concerned at the reaction of the fans for his decision to sell Alonso e.g. Lazio friendly in 2008).

One other point, that no one has mentioned. We sold one midfielder who (IMO) reluctantly left us because the manager no longer wanted him – Rafa could have said no. We have another midfielder who’s ‘disappointed’ at still being at Liverpool and not being sold, despite making every effort (through the press and his agent) to force through a transfer. Rafa (this time) did say no.

I think it is time to move on (I tried so hard not to respond to this thread ). I also think that if we had won our first four games of the season, we wouldn’t be too bothered about what any of our ex-players said.

[Robbie-fowler999]

Hes gone please move on.

[Craig_H]

Hes gone please move on.

That's ironic, given your username

[Nicey]

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.

Jesus hes a ****ing man if there ever was one in the company of a bunch of manchilds ...

He should have been up there with Gerrard and Torres but I feel he was seen as a very good asset to the club and one which we could see a nice return ... cant blame the lad for wanting off on his terms or to a club he wanted to play for ...One of my favourite players of all time

[EwarWoo]

Just say the same as I said in the last thread.

He was unhappy, he left. No point blaming anyone, and it's not like he pissed on the club on his way out so still appreciate the memories he gave me and have respect for the fella.

As for move on? He said something about us, it was posted, what's the issues? Those getting worked up about someone daring to post his words needs to move on I reckon.

[Nicey]

Exactly mate ..

Hes a ****ing top bloke
He was well liked within the squad
The Fans singed his name week in week out for 5 years
He score 2 goals from his own ****ing half in a Liverpool shirt
and a better passer of the ball you will wait a long time to see
He has never griped
Never moaned
Just got on with it
He said he'll get on with it if he stays
He chose to be with his misus at the birth of his first baby fair ****s
We made a lot of money on his transfer and I have nothing but good memories of the man

Move on ? Get ****ed ..... OoOoOoOooo We got the best Mid Field in the worrld Xabi Alonso ......

[BrianF80]

Think this is the nub. Rafa is uber-professional to the point of obsessiveness, and perhaps to detriment of his private life. Didn't he delay going back to Spain when his father died, because we had a match of some sort?! This to me was going to far, the likes of a death/birth in family should take precedence over everything else.

But Rafas perfectionism/obsessiveness wouldn't even allow him to leave immediately on his fathers death

Now I don't remember if this was before or after Xabi's family matter (his kids birth). But it seems he held Xabi to the same exacting standards he puts on himself as regards job before practically anything. I think in this instance, Xabi was right to go for his child's birth and that Rafa, while I think he should have gone immediately on his fathers death, it's his decision, but he shouldn't have held Xabi up as some kind of bad role model for wanting to go tend to his family matter.

Think that was unrealistic and selfish of Rafa and was when the relationship died, reading between the lines of Xabi's interview.

I remember at the time the Echo reported the whole Xabi baby thing in an entirely different way. The issue wasn't that Xabi wouldn't play, it was that Xabi was waffling all over the place, like the pussy that Shaggy says he is, and wouldn't say one way or the other. Admittedly he was doing it for the right reasons but at the end of the day, Benitez needed a definite yes or no so he could prepare for the game and he couldn't get either. First it was yes, then no, then it depends on the timing.

The fact that Reina and Agger have been able to miss games for the same reason without there being issues surely tells you there was more to it than some would make out.

I'll proffer one further piece of evidence in support of the Xabi as pussy hypothesis. His messing around with the transfer request. He should have just put it in, none of this, Oh I don't won't to force the issue BS. You want to leave, act like a man and say so.

And on his leaving, spin it how you want, but I'm sure there was an aspect of the fact that Rafa was clearly looking to evolve the team to a pattern of play that didn't suit Xabi's lack of mobility and consequently he was becoming less and less central to his plans. Xabi could see this, going after Barry someone who didn't need a GPS to get around the final 3rd, his refusal to play Xabi as a lone DM anymore all pointed to him as someone who would be accommodated so as to have him available for the games where you really need him which is about 15% of our games i.e. CL games.

So why wouldn't he go to a team which is going to double his money and play a type of football that suits him?

[Nicey]

I agree with the last part ... Xabi is no Pussy though and each to there ****ing own when it comes to Pregnancy and babies .. there is no right answer there

[BrianF80]

I agree with the last part ... Xabi is no Pussy though and each to there ****ing own when it comes to Pregnancy and babies .. there is no right answer there

I don't disagree with his decision, it's the fact he couldn't make up his mind and kept procrastinating that made him a pussy. It's textbook conflict avoidance which usually ends up causing a far bigger conflict than the one you were trying to avoid in the first place. Exactly as it did in this case!

[Nicey]

and you know this how exactly ?

[BrianF80]

and you know this how exactly ?

Jeez dude, it's an opinion not a universal law.