Topic: Alonso: Anfield exit talk rubbish

[skidz73]

I do see your point but is Barry going to improve us? Not  by much, if at all.

Like fook he is. Madness to seel him for a player that's older and does broadly the same thing. His only grace is the fact he can play out left and even then, why on earth do we want a makeshift left sided player?

[a partridge in seat_5c]

i don't see how you can come to this conclusion, as this 'decent fee' you speak of will mostly be used to replace him.

clearly a footballing matter.

agreed - (on the assumption that it is a 1-for-1 swap positionally) everyone who disagrees is simply wrong, or knows it but is taking that stance to wind fellow reds up about the financial situation and Hicks and Gillett (which is unnecessary as everyone hates them anyway and is quite aware of the mess we're in)

it's either a tactical switch, or Rafa intends both players to be here next season

if it is for money reasons then I don't believe Rafa has OK'd it and one or both of Hicks/Gillett is looking at selling him behind his back - doesn't seem likely at all - they might be a pair of twats but they know they need Rafa. Forget Klinsmann, they've since backed him over signing Skrtel and Mascherano, that's far more compelling evidence that they want him around

so it's either RedMark's suggested change for tactical reasons, or the Alonso sale is a load of shite and Xabi's agent is simply testing the financial water in case) and Rafa wants both Xabi and Barry here next season

someone somewhere is telling a big fat porky because the conflicting statements don't add up

[harleydanger]

Clearly a footballing matter.

Xabi is the better player, we can all agree on that, but Barry could be a better player in the league for us. He provides more mobility, more goal threat. Xabi really doesn't provide either of those things and is more of a "make us tick over" type player. But we really don't need anyone to make us tick when most teams put 9 men behind the ball against us.

I can see the logic behind the move and I think its a clear sign that the league will be #1 #2 & #3 p[rioreties next year.

[koolkamal]

Courtesy of the BBC:

    quote:
    Former Liverpool star Jan Molby feels selling midfielder Xabi Alonso would be a great loss to the Anfield side.

    Alonso struggled for form and fitness last season and has been strongly linked with a move to Juventus in recent weeks.

    Molby told BBC Radio Merseyside that the Spanish International could still have a pivotal role to play at Anfield.

    "They're once in a lifetime, players who can play, players who can dominate games like he can," he said.

    Alonso, a £10.5m signing from Real Sociedad, was one of the first players Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez brought to Anfield, following his own arrival from Valencia in 2004. He has since gone on to make 161 appearances scoring 14 goals.

    Benitez is looking to make changes to his squad ahead of next season and Molby concedes that some difficult decisions may have to be made to generate the finance required to make a sustained challenge for the Premier League.

    "There are always players at every football club you're so reluctant to see leave and I think Xabi falls into that category. We don't really want him to leave but maybe it makes sense if the fee that has been bandied about is the correct fee from Juventus."

    Alonso initially played in a creative role at Anfield but was moved towards more of a holding role near the end of last season following Benitez's decision to switch to a 4-2-3-1 formation.

    Molby feels that the new formation could enable the Reds to win the Premier League.

    "I believe it can [deliver the title]. There's obviously fewer and fewer teams playing a straight forward 4-4-2. It is about playing in between the lines and about picking up space. That system allows you to do that. I like the system, I do."

[Fowler0904]

Obviously I would love to keep Alonso, but I think Rafa has to choose, maybe Barry would give us more options than Alonso both postionally (he plays lb,lw and cm) and tactically, in my opinion if we did use 4-4-2 next season Barry would compliment Gerrard and Masch better in he middle than Xabi does. I think sometimes we look a bit flat with either Stevie/Masch or Xabi/Mash in the middle in a 4-4-2. Stevie and Xabi sometimes leave us exposed through the middle against better opposition. Just a thought.

[the-lightning]

Alonso Wants Juve Move - Agent

Xabi Alonso's agent, Inaki Ibanez, has revealed that the Liverpool midfielder is keen on a move to Juventus despite interest from La Liga giants Real Madrid.

http://goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=717893

The Bianconeri are in the process of bolstering their side as they look to mount a serious challenge on all fronts next season.

Alonso is one of the Old Lady's most wanted and Claudio Ranieri would like the Spanish international to form a solid partnership with his former Reds team mate Momo Sissoko in the middle.

Alonso's agent has confirmed that talks are in place with Juve and that the player himself is keen on a move to Turin.

"It's true that my client is wanted by Real Madrid but at the moment we are only dealing with Juventus," Ibanez told Tuttosport.

"At the moment Alonso is focused on the European Championship but he has told me that he is proud that Zidane's and Platini's former club want him."

It seems as if Juve will land their man given the fact that Alonso is keen for a move to Italy.

Whether or not he does go to Juventus all depends on both clubs reaching a deal for the player.

The Bianconeri only want to pay half of the £15m price tag which Liverpool have put on the midfielder's head and it seems unlikely that Liverpool will accept it.

Salvatore Landolina

[grimreaper]

The Bianconeri only want to pay half of the £15m price tag which Liverpool have put on the midfielder's head and it seems unlikely that Liverpool will accept it.

[the-lightning]

The Bianconeri only want to pay half of the £15m price tag which Liverpool have put on the midfielder's head and it seems unlikely that Liverpool will accept it.

as far as i know, Juve's offer arrived at 17M euros (12,6 M£)

[Ben_]

They can forget it at that price, £16m+ please.

Can't see the big Spanish clubs letting him go to Italy mind.

[M.A.G.M]

as far as i know, Juve's offer arrived at 17M euros (12,6 M£)

It's bad enough we're letting him go without being shafted on the price, €20m or fuggedaboutit.

[BazC]

Unbelievable. Like I've said before, if you're going to sell one of our best players, why do it for shit money?

[AhmedAlonso14]

Alonso Wants Juve Move - Agent

Xabi Alonso's agent, Inaki Ibanez, has revealed that the Liverpool midfielder is keen on a move to Juventus despite interest from La Liga giants Real Madrid.

http://goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=717893

The Bianconeri are in the process of bolstering their side as they look to mount a serious challenge on all fronts next season.

Alonso is one of the Old Lady's most wanted and Claudio Ranieri would like the Spanish international to form a solid partnership with his former Reds team mate Momo Sissoko in the middle.

Alonso's agent has confirmed that talks are in place with Juve and that the player himself is keen on a move to Turin.

"It's true that my client is wanted by Real Madrid but at the moment we are only dealing with Juventus," Ibanez told Tuttosport.

"At the moment Alonso is focused on the European Championship but he has told me that he is proud that Zidane's and Platini's former club want him."

It seems as if Juve will land their man given the fact that Alonso is keen for a move to Italy.

Whether or not he does go to Juventus all depends on both clubs reaching a deal for the player.

The Bianconeri only want to pay half of the £15m price tag which Liverpool have put on the midfielder's head and it seems unlikely that Liverpool will accept it.

Salvatore Landolina

umm goal.com.... 'nuff said

[Cusamano]

umm goal.com.... 'nuff said

There are direct quotes.

[Ken-Obi]

umm goal.com.... 'nuff said

Especially when you don't like the sound of it.

[Jason_King]

That system allows you to do that. I like the system, I do

Bollox to all this Xabi nonsense, more importantly I never knew Molby was Welsh??

[Red_in_Holland]

The Bianconeri only want to pay half of the £15m price tag which Liverpool have put on the midfielder's head and it seems unlikely that Liverpool will accept it.

Yeah.. they can fuck off.

[AhmedAlonso14]

Especially when you don't like the sound of it.

fine, i admit u caught me there 

[gray19lfc]

Bollox to all this Xabi nonsense, more importantly I never knew Molby was Welsh??

[MortyMan11]

I think we will slip further from contention in all honesty.

Totally agree!

I don't understand this comparison of Xabi and Barry. Clearly Xabi is a fantastic passer, with power and presision, both sideways and between the lines. Barry is a passer, but not in a million years of the same quality as Xabi. And the argument about Barry being more of a goalscoring threat than Xabi...Nonsense! Xabi's role in 4-2-3-1 does not give him the freedom to go forward that much, and if Barry plays there he wont score goals either.

Barry is class, but sorry, I can't see why he is as good as Xabi.

If we sell him, I think we will slip further from the other 3. He gives the team that extra passing skill which none of the others (and certainly not Barry) has.

I feel sad inside, because I really feel as if he's going to be sold.

Please please don't sell him!

[McmanaMark]

Totally agree!

I don't understand this comparison of Xabi and Barry. Clearly Xabi is a fantastic passer, with power and presision, both sideways and between the lines. Barry is a passer, but not in a million years of the same quality as Xabi. And the argument about Barry being more of a goalscoring threat than Xabi...Nonsense! Xabi's role in 4-2-3-1 does not give him the freedom to go forward that much, and if Barry plays there he wont score goals either.

Barry is class, but sorry, I can't see why he is as good as Xabi.

If we sell him, I think we will slip further from the other 3. He gives the team that extra passing skill which none of the others (and certainly not Barry) has.

I feel sad inside, because I really feel as if he's going to be sold.

Please please don't sell him!

I don't think Rafa is content to have just Mascherano as a senior holding player. Alonso is not a ballwinner and Plessis is still too young, which is why we're going after Barry. He's better for the balance of the squad overall.

It would be fantastic to have Masch, Barry AND Alonso to rotate. But Alonso's potential transfer value and our current financial situation make him an expensive luxury.

Especially when you factor in Lucas. Selling Alonso gives our young Brazilian international the opportunity to step up. Certain parties believe he could be every bit the player Xabi is given the chance.

On top of that, in Barry's favour, he's formed a great understanding with Gerrard, and is more of a leader than Alonso, with the type of mentality needed to win titles. He's also more consistent, more versatile (able to play left mid or even left back if needed), and as the stats for last season will tell you, isn't all that bad a passer himself.

I'd hate to see Xabi go as much as anyone, but it might be time, sadly. Head ruling heart, it makes sense.

[ben]

i think people are a bit daft to criticse rafa on the basis that alonso is 'better' than barry.

obviously rafa knows who is the more talented of the two. he's not stupid. so for him to want this move means that he sees something that a lot of us don't, i.e. that barry will compliment this system more/can score more goals/add some steel or whatever.

he's not simply downgrading a player for a laugh, give him some credit for fucks sake.

[royhendo]

i think people are a bit daft to criticse rafa on the basis that alonso is 'better' than barry.

obviously rafa knows who is the more talented of the two. he's not stupid. so for him to want this move means that he sees something that a lot of us don't, i.e. that barry will compliment this system more/can score more goals/add some steel or whatever.

he's not simply downgrading a player for a laugh, give him some credit for fucks sake.

exactly - plus barry's able to do a job in several positions. it's not as simple as one in and one out. it's sensible squad engineering for me

[FatOldMonkey]

exactly - plus barry's able to do a job in several positions. it's not as simple as one in and one out. it's sensible squad engineering for me

Yeah. If only all the players' attributes are as simple as those found in FM.

[Uhoh AureliOs]

Juventus will resume talks with Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso today over a possible move to Italy. The two clubs are yet to agree a fee for the Spaniard with Liverpool holding out for £18m. (Channel 4 Football Italia, 1019 BST)

[skidz73]

i think people are a bit daft to criticse rafa on the basis that alonso is 'better' than barry.

obviously rafa knows who is the more talented of the two. he's not stupid. so for him to want this move means that he sees something that a lot of us don't, i.e. that barry will compliment this system more/can score more goals/add some steel or whatever.

he's not simply downgrading a player for a laugh, give him some credit for fucks sake.

Perhaps he's swapping them for different reasons though. One offers an option on the left side whereas the other doesn't. Suggesting that we should not be expecting an  player who is capable of out and out capable of playing on the left.

[Ben_]

Juventus will resume talks with Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso today over a possible move to Italy. The two clubs are yet to agree a fee for the Spaniard with Liverpool holding out for £18m. (Channel 4 Football Italia, 1019 BST)

If we get £18m for him then its a good deal. As much as I dont want Xabi to leave, that is alot of money. I still can see Real Madrid coming in for him, I'd be very surprised if they didnt.

Barry will arguably perform better in this league, and put us closer to where we want to be.

[ben]

Perhaps he's swapping them for different reasons though. One offers an option on the left side whereas the other doesn't. Suggesting that we should not be expecting an  player who is capable of out and out capable of playing on the left.

well, as i've said before, i'll be very disappointed if that's the case.

i can accept rafa swapping xabi for barry if he thinks he sees a way it'll improve the team.

if he's doing it for any other reason, i.e money, versatility, it's bad management in my eyes.

personally, i just think he wants to replace alonso with barry. reckon we're all going in circles with the same discussion though.

[paulcompton]

well, as i've said before, i'll be very disappointed if that's the case.

i can accept rafa swapping xabi for barry if he thinks he sees a way it'll improve the team.

if he's doing it for any other reason, i.e money, versatility, it's bad management in my eyes.

personally, i just think he wants to replace alonso with barry. reckon we're all going in circles with the same discussion though.

He is definitely going but I think 16 Mill will do it.

[chanti]

I really hope we have an adequate replacement target gauranteed in place before we sell alonso. At his peak he is sublime. I would hold on to him till he regains his top form, like kewell was given ample time.

[pheasantplucker]

Alonso Wants Juve Move - Agent

No brainer that one, once Xabi's been employed for 5 years outside of Spain and then returns, he can work the next 3 years, tax-free.

Think this is his 5th year approaching.

Maybe Rafa sees his hunger gone, maybe all he is after is a prosperous homecoming?

[RAFA - 6 - 19]

barry and bentley will want to join us i am sure which will help keep the prices down.

i think we can get bentley for 12mil leaving 4mil left over from a potential alonso sale of 16 mil.

8 or 9 plus carson should get barry - carson cost us 750k, villa have paid us 1.75 mil already

so we could sell alonso and get barry and bentley for 4 or 5 mil net

i like the sound of that!

pennant and riise sales should pay for dossenna with about 3mil to spare

sell crouch for 10 giving us  a pot of 13 mil, buy villa for 20 mil and i think we are looking pretty good with the owners having to cough up 7 mil

if they do give us a reported pot of 20 i would sell voronin and finnan and put a big offer on ribery as not paying kewells wages would have freed up some cash

[kopk1w1]

Selling Voronin = selling anthrax.

barry and bentley will want to join us i am sure which will help keep the prices down.

i think we can get bentley for 12mil leaving 4mil left over from a potential alonso sale of 16 mil.

8 or 9 plus carson should get barry - carson cost us 750k, villa have paid us 1.75 mil already

so we could sell alonso and get barry and bentley for 4 or 5 mil net

i like the sound of that!

pennant and riise sales should pay for dossenna with about 3mil to spare

sell crouch for 10 giving us  a pot of 13 mil, buy villa for 20 mil and i think we are looking pretty good with the owners having to cough up 7 mil

if they do give us a reported pot of 20 i would sell voronin and finnan and put a big offer on ribery as not paying kewells wages would have freed up some cash

Selling Voronin 

only buyer would possibly be Vidal Sassoon.

[RAFA - 6 - 19]

a buyer is a buyer!

[Paul JH]

I do see your point but is Barry going to improve us? Not  by much, if at all.

How can you say that though? If Alonso has been off form for a while, which he has, and Barry comes in and inks well with Stevie, then surely that improves us?
I love Alonso, always have since he showed so much commitment and desire when he first signed (watching videos iof us to see how he could fit in before he signed), but if a player has been off form for a while, and doesn't look like fitting into the midfield 3, then why not sell him?

We've sold bigger legends than Alonso because they didn't fit into the managers new way of playing. Aldo for one.

[ben]

cloud cuckoo land that FM player up there.

[Canada Loves Anfield]

barry and bentley will want to join us i am sure which will help keep the prices down.

i think we can get bentley for 12mil leaving 4mil left over from a potential alonso sale of 16 mil.

8 or 9 plus carson should get barry - carson cost us 750k, villa have paid us 1.75 mil already

so we could sell alonso and get barry and bentley for 4 or 5 mil net

i like the sound of that!

pennant and riise sales should pay for dossenna with about 3mil to spare

sell crouch for 10 giving us  a pot of 13 mil, buy villa for 20 mil and i think we are looking pretty good with the owners having to cough up 7 mil

if they do give us a reported pot of 20 i would sell voronin and finnan and put a big offer on ribery as not paying kewells wages would have freed up some cash

If only it was that easy mate

[RAFA - 6 - 19]

however i am fully aware of what we are like and i doubt any of my previous post will happen

very wishhful thinking and involved only picking out the rumours i liked the look of!

[McmanaMark]

barry and bentley will want to join us i am sure which will help keep the prices down.

i think we can get bentley for 12mil leaving 4mil left over from a potential alonso sale of 16 mil.

8 or 9 plus carson should get barry - carson cost us 750k, villa have paid us 1.75 mil already

so we could sell alonso and get barry and bentley for 4 or 5 mil net

i like the sound of that!

pennant and riise sales should pay for dossenna with about 3mil to spare

sell crouch for 10 giving us  a pot of 13 mil, buy villa for 20 mil and i think we are looking pretty good with the owners having to cough up 7 mil

if they do give us a reported pot of 20 i would sell voronin and finnan and put a big offer on ribery as not paying kewells wages would have freed up some cash

So in other words:

OUT
Alonso: £16m
Carson: £5m
Crouch: £10m
Riise: £5m
Pennant: £5m

Plus:
Finnan: £1-2m
Voronin: £2-3m

Sales Total: £45m approx

IN
Dossena: £7m
Barry: £12m
Bentley: £12m
Villa: £20m

Buys Total: £51m


Yeah, that would do us nicely!

Does leave us without a decent left-footed winger, though...

[Throxenby]

if coco is doing the deal for XA and real madrid come in we'll probo end up paying real and juve to take him.

[Met]

if coco is doing the deal for XA and real madrid come in we'll probo end up paying real and juve to take him.