Xabi joy at Dubai deal
Dec 6 2006
By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo
XABI ALONSO today urged Liverpool's prospective new owners to ensure the traditions of the club remain intact when their takeover is complete.
Alonso says the players are excited by the possible investment by Dubai International Capital, but was equally cautious about the implications for the identity of Liverpool.
"We'll have to wait until it's all done, but it seems to be really close now," said Alonso. "We'll see what route the club takes, but if they decide this is the best idea we must all be happy and look to the future with optimism.
"Since I've been in Liverpool, one of the things I've noticed most is how much the club and people respect and realise the importance of their traditions.
"Of course, we all want to develop and improve the club, but it's also important to respect the traditions. I'm sure that's how the supporters feel, and it's the same for the players.
"It's not always easy to get the right balance because in football you must sometimes change, but if you do things step by step and in the right way, it's even better.
"Some of the players here have been in Liverpool for a long time, and they understand what Liverpool means to the people, the city and the whole area.
The new players also understand that commitment, and I'm sure that anyone who comes to Liverpool will see this.
"It's clear investment will bring a lot of good things to Liverpool, but I'm sure the new people will also recognise the good things at the club which we already have which don't need to change so much."
Liverpool returned to Merseyside today disappointed after suffering their first European defeat of the season, although they'd already secured top spot in their group.
A tough last 16 draw awaits, although Alonso say he would relish the prospect of being an underdog in the Champions League again.
"The result didn't really matter because we'd already done the job, but we still wanted to win," said Alonso. "Overall, maybe they were better on the night, but now we'll think about the next round and the Premiership.
"We know whoever we get in the next round will be really tough but it will also be exciting.
"You can see the teams who will be involved and how strong those who finished in second are.
"We'll have to be ready. Real or Barcelona could be the next game, but we've played a few games in Spain in the last few years and always won there, so if we meet either of those clubs we'll know it will be a massive game for the club, but we'll see.
"When we won in 2005, we were never favourites in any game we played, and depending on the drawthat maybe the case again, which could suit us.
"It was definitelygood the year we won it when everyone thought we would lose to Juve and then Chelsea and Milan. I hope that would be a good omen for us."
The draw for the knock-out stages takes place a week on Friday.
http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0500liverpoolfc/0100news/tm_headline=xabi-joy-at-dubai-deal%26method=full%26objectid=18218073%26siteid=50 061-name_page.html
Dec 6 2006
By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo
XABI ALONSO today urged Liverpool's prospective new owners to ensure the traditions of the club remain intact when their takeover is complete.
Alonso says the players are excited by the possible investment by Dubai International Capital, but was equally cautious about the implications for the identity of Liverpool.
"We'll have to wait until it's all done, but it seems to be really close now," said Alonso. "We'll see what route the club takes, but if they decide this is the best idea we must all be happy and look to the future with optimism.
"Since I've been in Liverpool, one of the things I've noticed most is how much the club and people respect and realise the importance of their traditions.
"Of course, we all want to develop and improve the club, but it's also important to respect the traditions. I'm sure that's how the supporters feel, and it's the same for the players.
"It's not always easy to get the right balance because in football you must sometimes change, but if you do things step by step and in the right way, it's even better.
"Some of the players here have been in Liverpool for a long time, and they understand what Liverpool means to the people, the city and the whole area.
The new players also understand that commitment, and I'm sure that anyone who comes to Liverpool will see this.
"It's clear investment will bring a lot of good things to Liverpool, but I'm sure the new people will also recognise the good things at the club which we already have which don't need to change so much."
Liverpool returned to Merseyside today disappointed after suffering their first European defeat of the season, although they'd already secured top spot in their group.
A tough last 16 draw awaits, although Alonso say he would relish the prospect of being an underdog in the Champions League again.
"The result didn't really matter because we'd already done the job, but we still wanted to win," said Alonso. "Overall, maybe they were better on the night, but now we'll think about the next round and the Premiership.
"We know whoever we get in the next round will be really tough but it will also be exciting.
"You can see the teams who will be involved and how strong those who finished in second are.
"We'll have to be ready. Real or Barcelona could be the next game, but we've played a few games in Spain in the last few years and always won there, so if we meet either of those clubs we'll know it will be a massive game for the club, but we'll see.
"When we won in 2005, we were never favourites in any game we played, and depending on the drawthat maybe the case again, which could suit us.
"It was definitelygood the year we won it when everyone thought we would lose to Juve and then Chelsea and Milan. I hope that would be a good omen for us."
The draw for the knock-out stages takes place a week on Friday.
http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0500liverpoolfc/0100news/tm_headline=xabi-joy-at-dubai-deal%26method=full%26objectid=18218073%26siteid=50 061-name_page.html
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