Xabi Alonso

[Arn]

IMO he won't be coming back.

I think that he will see out the last year of his contract and after that move back home to Real Sociedad.

[spud_gun]

I'd rather we sign Gareth Barry

[Exiled_red]

I'd rather we sign Gareth Barry

[fah-q]

He has stated there is no chance of a return to the Premier League.

http://www.insidespanishfootball.com...league-return/

[Jaymo]

I'd have him back just for the beard alone.

But in all seriousness, look at the likes of Pirlo who's now 34, plays the same kind of role and he looks like he's got plenty left in him.

I don't see this as a 2 year wind down for Xabi at all, that's if we do sign him. A midfield with Xabi Alonso in it would be a country mile better than a midfield without him. He's possibly one of the best players I've seen play and in his first spell with us (I'm getting hopeful of a return) it genuinely was a pleasure to watch him.

If he does make a return, maybe we wont need a player in the mold of Henrikh, as we could push Gerrard forward and look to bring other players through to learn from him or whatever.

As we're looking to play the retention game, who better to have in your side than Xabi? His main asset is his ability to keep hold of the ball whether hes playing a 5 yard pass or a 55 yard pass 9/10 it will go to the feet of our player. I remember him having a keen eye for a killer ball too.

[saj]

I'd rather we sign Gareth Barry

[TheElephantMan]

As an all-round player Alonso is amongst the best I've ever seen. He is still undoubtedly an amazing footballer, but we need to stop reflecting on our past and move forward. I am starting to believe in Rodgers' vision of the future and I would much rather build a team to compete in the long-term than bring in a few expensive quick fixes.

[Paddy]

He wouldn't be a 'quick fix'

The style that Alonso plays means he could play at the very highest level for at least another 3 years.

[-V-]

Xabi was a great player but he's not what we need right now. I don't think this link is real. We need to invest in CB's and another goalscorer/attacker

[SB]

I'm sure he can live with that.

But Arn's comment was "he already won everything". So I had to poop on his parade.

[cream]

Xabi was a great player but he's not what we need right now. I don't think this link is real. We need to invest in CB's and another goalscorer/attacker

We need to sort out our midfield, currently not good enough.

[Yozza]

Liverpool transfers: Xabi Alonso categorically rules out return

Liverpool transfers: Xabi Alonso denies that there is even a remote chance of him returning to the Premier League

http://www.thesportreview.com/tsr/2013/07/liverpool-transfers-xabi-alonso-categorically-rules-out-return/?

Xabi Alonso has denied that there is any chance of him returning to the Premier League this summer amid speculation linking him with a return to Liverpool.

The Real Madrid midfielder, who spent five years on Merseyside before moving to La Liga, has been linked with both Liverpool and Chelsea in recent weeks.
However, the 31-year-old has poured cold water on those reports by insisting that he has no intention of returning to England.

“The Premier League? No,” Alonso said when asked about a summer switch. “No way, no chance. You pay too much in taxes”

Speculation about Alonso’s future has been ongoing for some time, with the Spain international – whose contract expires in June 2014 – yet to discuss new terms with Real Madrid.

Alonso scored 19 goals in 210 appearances for Liverpool between 2004 and 2009, before securing a £30m transfer to Madrid.

[Pablo]

Footballers

[Fredo]

Liverpool transfers: Xabi Alonso categorically rules out return

Liverpool transfers: Xabi Alonso denies that there is even a remote chance of him returning to the Premier League

http://www.thesportreview.com/tsr/2013/07/liverpool-transfers-xabi-alonso-categorically-rules-out-return/?

Xabi Alonso has denied that there is any chance of him returning to the Premier League this summer amid speculation linking him with a return to Liverpool.

The Real Madrid midfielder, who spent five years on Merseyside before moving to La Liga, has been linked with both Liverpool and Chelsea in recent weeks.
However, the 31-year-old has poured cold water on those reports by insisting that he has no intention of returning to England.

“The Premier League? No,” Alonso said when asked about a summer switch. “No way, no chance. You pay too much in taxes”

Speculation about Alonso’s future has been ongoing for some time, with the Spain international – whose contract expires in June 2014 – yet to discuss new terms with Real Madrid.

Alonso scored 19 goals in 210 appearances for Liverpool between 2004 and 2009, before securing a £30m transfer to Madrid.

He's a ****

[Yozza]

OK, so I added the bit about taxes - but it's nothing he hasnt said before...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/liverpool/5578084/Xabi-Alonso-warns-that-tax-will-drive-top-players-away.html

"Of course we footballers think about it; we are not stupid, we keep an eye on it," Alonso said. "When you see your contract down by 30 per cent you cannot be happy. I cannot do anything – it must be Gordon Brown or David Cameron."