Xabi Alonso interview

[Tee]

Total respect for Xabi and whilst I would absolutely love to see him come back and grace the Anfield pitch again, I just cannot see it fitting into his career path which has so far been near on perfect (injuries aside). After Real he will be 31 or 32 and then he will probably go and extend his career in the languid pace of the Italian league.

As a future Manager, absolutely. He is clearly intelligent enough and I have every confidence that he could be a very successful Manager.

[EwarWoo]

Maybe because he was speaking to LFC TV?

Yes, I know that, but why was he speaking to LFC.TV now is the question.

[wavydavy]

While I don't see it happening Xabi's probably the only player who wouldn't be considered too old. I could see him easily doing his stuff for a top club at 36 or 37.

[Craig_H]

Yes, I know that, but why was he speaking to LFC.TV now is the question.

I think we're in danger of reading too much into his decision to speak to them. I think it's just a case of they asked for an interview, he never got to say a proper goodbye, and had the time to do it.

[EwarWoo]

Allow me to dream you miserable old *******

[Mattimetal]

I certainly wouldn't want him back - at his age he'll finish his career with Real no doubt - and he'll save money without the 50% tax rate, not to mention his starting spot for the international side.
Just like everyone reminds others we have to move on from Rafa, we have to do the same with Xabi.
It does irritate me that he can't admit his form two seasons prior to his last, was the initial reason for Rafa wanting to trade him in.

[Craig_H]

I certainly wouldn't want him back - at his age he'll finish his career with Real no doubt - and he'll save money without the 50% tax rate, not to mention his starting spot for the international side.
Just like everyone reminds others we have to move on from Rafa, we have to do the same with Xabi.
It does irritate me that he can't admit his form two seasons prior to his last, was the initial reason for Rafa wanting to trade him in.

I didnt see him denying that or even blaming the manager. All he said was that, when you go from being seen as a key player, to a player considered sellable to raise funds, then your mentality can change. And i cant blame him for that.

The whole episode was a mistake on Rafa's part. Like anyone, he made mistakes, nobody is infallible.

[badpiggy]

I think that it is more than wishful thinking. It is almost a come and get me plea from Xabi.

Could be difficult to get Real selling him to us but if we could agree a transfer fee then I have no doubt that he would join us.

I would rather see that we spend £15m-£20m on him than the same kind of money on someone like Henderson.

Xabi could make us challenge for the title. There isn't many playmakers like him around. If you get the chance to sign a playmaker that is as good as he is then you should do everything to make it happen.

As soon as he won the title in Spain then we have every chance getting him back.

That isn't wishful thinking. That is what he is saying in the interview. Not the exact words of course.

So how many fans will demand that we sign him after this season now when he made if perfectly clear that he would be prepared to join us if they win the title?

This is fantastic stuff. Keep it up man. On a witness stand, you'd give the best of lawyers a good run for their money. Before being returned to your padded coop via butterfly net obviously.

[Craig_H]

[Mattimetal]

I didnt see him denying that or even blaming the manager. All he said was that, when you go from being seen as a key player, to a player considered sellable to raise funds, then your mentality can change. And i cant blame him for that.

The whole episode was a mistake on Rafa's part. Like anyone, he made mistakes, nobody is infallible.

Well no he didn't say that (and neither did I), he said he was too good to be considered a reserve player instead of a starting X1 player. He also said his foot injury affected his form, yet his form was below par two seasons before his last.

The point I'm making is he still believes he was too good to be dropped regardless of previous performances. Rafa was right in his decision at the time - you can't deny that. I put it down to good management as it sparked his arse back into form.

[Craig_H]

I'd certainly acknowledge that Alonso's form in the earlier seasons didnt match upto the form he showed in his final year. But even a below par Alonso was still a good player and arguably was still too good to drop. Bearing in mind the CM competition at that time consisted of players like Biscan and Diao, and also Hamann who, whilst a great holding midfielder, wasnt creative or a playmaker.

Alonso got into that side on merit, even WITH some below par performances. And given his contribution in Istanbul, i personally am delighted that he was a firm pick in our first XI.

[Mattimetal]

I'd certainly acknowledge that Alonso's form in the earlier seasons didnt match upto the form he showed in his final year. But even a below par Alonso was still a good player and arguably was still too good to drop. Bearing in mind the CM competition at that time consisted of players like Biscan and Diao, and also Hamann who, whilst a great holding midfielder, wasnt creative or a playmaker.

Alonso got into that side on merit, even WITH some below par performances. And given his contribution in Istanbul, i personally am delighted that he was a firm pick in our first XI.

Hamann and Biscan had already left by the time this whole Barry episode started. At the time we had Masch, Gerrard and Sissoko.
Anyway, you're missing my point he didn't just leave because of Rafa - that's just what he'd like the supporters to believe.

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

will this be replayed or does anybody have a link to it?

[CJ]

Hamann and Biscan had already left by the time this whole Barry episode started. At the time we had Masch, Gerrard and Sissoko.
Anyway, you're missing my point he didn't just leave because of Rafa - that's just what he'd like the supporters to believe.

Rafa obviously made mistakes with Alonso, but remember alonso played his best football after we wanted to sell him and no one wanted him at that point.

At his best he was and is sublime he had his time with us and is now on a lot more money at madrid

i think he is fond of the club and supporters but thats in the context of a football player who spent time here and enjoyed it.

Thats not the same as wanting to come back though

[Tee]

Lets forget the whole Barry saga because in the Summer of 2009 that was irrelevant IMO.

Xabi had his best season since coming to Liverpool and was now a £30m+ player wanted by one of the biggest clubs in the world. The lure of Real Madrid would always have been too good for him to turn down - it was the right move for him at the time. Professionally and in his personal life.

The way I see it, his gut feeling was to leave that Summer and I really do not think it was anything more than a professional decision made for the benfit of his own career path and more importantly the best move for his family.

As much as I would have loved for him to still be here, I don't blame him for taking the opportunity. He may never have had another one like it.