Xabi Alonso Player Thread

[Rafa La Bamba]

Well...

His first and second seasons were brilliant, but since then has not stepped it up for us. Has brilliant range of passing but thats all I can give him for now.

Rafa Benitez has admitted that Alonso has been dropped due to his poor form:

"Xabi needs to step it up. When you are not 100% fit, you want to play every game because you need to play more games to build up your fitness.

"But if Gerrard, Mascherano or Lucas are playing well, it means there is competition for places which is good for the team.

"Xabi knows he needs to work harder if we wants to have a place in the team.

"Mascherano was back from suspension and he gives us balance in the middle and Gerrard can be more free going forward.

"Lucas was playing really well the other day so we had three midfielders, and we needed to have wingers or strikers on the bench. That's why Alonso was not in the squad on Saturday."

Is this a sign of Xabi going back to Spain next season? Rafael Benitez has obviously put Gerrard & Mascherano ahead of him, and now Lucas is creeping up the ranks so what would Xabi Alonso think about this? Seeing that he's an International for Spain I'm sure if it stays like this then he's going to want to move on pretty soon.

[donrafael]

Is this a sign of Xabi going back to Spain next season? Rafael Benitez has obviously put Gerrard & Mascherano ahead of him, and now Lucas is creeping up the ranks so what would Xabi Alonso think about this? Seeing that he's an International for Spain I'm sure if it stays like this then he's going to want to move on pretty soon.

Rafa hardly ever comes out and says this about a player - ever.

For me it's the first sign that Xabi's excellent era at Anfield is nearing it's end.  Real Madrid player next season.

[lil cisse]

I think he will stay. Rafa seems to just be looking to get players to step up their game, he did it when crouch wasnt scoring for ages and he is doing a similar thing to kuyt due to him not scoring.

[Rafa La Bamba]

I think he will stay. Rafa seems to just be looking to get players to step up their game, he did it when crouch wasnt scoring for ages and he is doing a similar thing to kuyt due to him not scoring.

I think the best players will play more often and Xabi not being one of them. Therefore Xabi is going to want to keep his place in the International squad down so he'll consider his future come the end of the season. Xabi know's Rafa's idea and Liverpool will do the best for Xabi's career.

[lil cisse]

But rafa doesnt play the best players more often as we have seen this season, Crouch not playing and Kuyt getting to is the perfect example.

[Rafa La Bamba]

But rafa doesnt play the best players more often as we have seen this season, Crouch not playing and Kuyt getting to is the perfect example.

Yeh I know what your saying but do you think if Rafa still has Xabi in his plans Xabi still has Liverpool in his plans? Especially if he's not getting games...
This could turn out to be a similar situation as Loco Sissoko

[donrafael]

But rafa doesnt play the best players more often as we have seen this season, Crouch not playing and Kuyt getting to is the perfect example.

Oh that must be because he wants us to lose or give those players another chance to succeed with us then? ...honestly some people.

[Rafa La Bamba]

But does anyone actually think we need Alonso? If we could sell him and buy someone like Matias Fernandez or someone in that mould then I would be more than happy.

I do like Xabi Alonso, but its the team that comes first and I feel that Alonso has offered us nothing in the last couple of season's, especially when you see what Mashcherano has offered us and what Lucas is bound to offer us.

[lil cisse]

Oh that must be because he wants us to lose or give those players another chance to succeed with us then? ...honestly some people.

Haha I critisize rafa less than most fans. Its true that he doesnt play the best players most of the time, I didn't say it was because he wanted us to lose or anything like that so no need to jump to conclusions or act like im anti-rafa.That 'honestly some people' comment was unnecesary. I know why rafa plays the players he plays so no need to jump down my throat as if I suggested he wants us to lose.

[The Fallen Soldier]

Rafa hardly ever comes out and says this about a player - ever.

For me it's the first sign that Xabi's excellent era at Anfield is nearing it's end.  Real Madrid player next season.

Im inclined to agree, and this will be a shame I cant really think of any player with as good a range of passing. This in turn leads to a more direct approach to games which we have been sadly lacking this season along with rare Peter Crouch appearences.

[RedScouseLaz]

I think you are all jumping to conclusions. Rafa is simply telling Xabi to sort out his form as this season he has not been the player we all know he is capable of being.

I am happy that Rafa has came out and said this as it has indicated he is no longer putting up with the below par performances from the players this season.

Surely Xabi knows as well as everyonelse dose that he has been playing poorly this term. I do not believe he can have any complaints.

[donrafael]

Haha I critisize rafa less than most fans. Its true that he doesnt play the best players most of the time, I didn't say it was because he wanted us to lose or anything like that so no need to jump to conclusions or act like im anti-rafa.That 'honestly some people' comment was unnecesary. I know why rafa plays the players he plays so no need to jump down my throat as if I suggested he wants us to lose.

Honestly, some people are soooooo sensitive.

Sorry. Perdon.

[donrafael]

I think you are all jumping to conclusions. Rafa is simply telling Xabi to sort out his form as this season he has not been the player we all know he is capable of being.

I am happy that Rafa has came out and said this as it has indicated he is no longer putting up with the below par performances from the players this season.

Surely Xabi knows as well as everyonelse dose that he has been playing poorly this term. I do not believe he can have any complaints.

Why single out Xabi then... why not roll Voro, Kuyt, Kewell, Gerrard and Babel in too for luck???

I would have preferred him to say, "Too many players in the squad are under-performing and they know who they are" instead of singling out one guy/Xabi... it MUST be for a reason... maybe he is angry that Xabi's agent may be touting Spanish clubs for him... Rafa always finds out these things!

[streety893]

Xabi Alonso is a class midfielder who has more than proven his worth to LIVERPOOL FC his range of passing is second to none and I suspect that its only a matter of time before he gets a decent run in the side when the champions league kicks back in
People seem to be raising doubts about individuals rather than assessing the teams overall performances
Judge Xabi after he gets a decent run in the side is my message
we don't need to cash in on him he is a class act more than worthy of a red jersey

form is temporary class is permanent

YNWA

[Court LFC]

What would be the point in selling Sissoko then suddenly wanting to sell Alonso?

Put it this way.  Alonso leaves.  Mascherano gets injured & Lucas suddenly gets injured.

Gerrard in the middle on his own?  Don't think so.

Xabi is my 3rd choice Centre Midfield.

[lil cisse]

Honestly, some people are soooooo sensitive.

Sorry. Perdon.

Not really just prefer people to ask a question as to what I meant rather than acting like I was criticising.

[graham135uk]

I'm not sure why Rafa has come out and said this about Alonso, when there are others who are not playing well, all you have to do is look at Kuyt, he plays most match's and Rafa does not say to much about him, and he runs around like a headless chicken.
Is it to give Alonso a good kick up the rear end, to make him play better, as he is a good part of are midfield.
Is Rafa laying the ground for Alonso to move on.

I hope he is just giving him a good kick up the rear end.

[donrafael]

What would be the point in selling Sissoko then suddenly wanting to sell Alonso?

Put it this way.  Alonso leaves.  Mascherano gets injured & Lucas suddenly gets injured.

Gerrard in the middle on his own?  Don't think so.

Xabi is my 3rd choice Centre Midfield.

I'm not sure why Rafa has come out and said this about Alonso, when there are others who are not playing well, all you have to do is look at Kuyt, he plays most match's and Rafa does not say to much about him, and he runs around like a headless chicken.
Is it to give Alonso a good kick up the rear end, to make him play better, as he is a good part of are midfield.
Is Rafa laying the ground for Alonso to move on.

I hope he is just giving him a good kick up the rear end.

Rafa it is a kick of that there is no doubt - but Rafa just doesn't do his player ticking-off work in the public domain, which is the strange thing about this one. This is as pissed off as Rafa gets with a player in public... something has happened behind the scenes (probably more to do with agent activity at a time when Xabi is not playing well for the club that is paying his wages) - it's my hunch, but only that - a hunch.

[Court LFC]

I admit it is very strange for Rafa to come out publicly.  But as you said.  He's on a good f**king wage and probably needs a huge kick up the arse.

I think Kuyt is the player that needs a reality check that his days are numbered...

[7-King Kenny-7]

If this is true then it could be the perfect thing to land a world class striker to partner torres. Alonso was always going to fall behind masch in the pecking order because of the legth of the injury he had but I dont think anyone was expecting lucas to be doing as well as he has done this season. Now regarding a world class striker one comes to mind immediatley and that would be david villa. Valencia have been shocking all season and in the summer most of the stars will want to move in order to play champions league so maybe 15 or 20 million plus alonso then that should be enough for villa, hje would'nt turn us down because of the spanish contingent at the club and alonso would'nt mind a return to spain. It would be great for liverpool because torres and villa play together at international level so they already have a good partnership. If alonso s not okay about going to valencia then seeing as athletico are interested then maybe rafa would be able to prise aguero away as part of a deal.

however I would love alonso to stay but if its for the good of the player and club then why not let him go.

[RedScouseLaz]

Why single out Xabi then... why not roll Voro, Kuyt, Kewell, Gerrard and Babel in too for luck???

I would have preferred him to say, "Too many players in the squad are under-performing and they know who they are" instead of singling out one guy/Xabi... it MUST be for a reason... maybe he is angry that Xabi's agent may be touting Spanish clubs for him... Rafa always finds out these things!

Voronin is injured , Kuyt cant do anymore than he is. He gives it his absolute all every game but unfortunatley dose not look good enough for us. , Kewell has came back from injury and never plays well anyway and should be moved on. , Gerrard has scored something like 16 goals and many an assist this season , and babel has looked very lively and a great prospect when selected.

With xabi , we know exactly what he is capable of and what he should be doing week in week out. For some reason or another he hasnt deliverd thus far this season and therefore Rafa is well within his right to tell him to buck up his ideas.

In no way is this intended as to say 'xabi , your on your way' , if that was the case why sell sissoko?

Xabi is a great player and as somone said before, form in temporarybut class is permanent. Telling a player he is not performing at the level he should be , should only be taken as it is in my opinion. Rafa wants whats best for the team and that means alonso playing like we all know he can.

[Court LFC]

If this is true then it could be the perfect thing to land a world class striker to partner torres. Alonso was always going to fall behind masch in the pecking order because of the legth of the injury he had but I dont think anyone was expecting lucas to be doing as well as he has done this season. Now regarding a world class striker one comes to mind immediatley and that would be david villa. Valencia have been shocking all season and in the summer most of the stars will want to move in order to play champions league so maybe 15 or 20 million plus alonso then that should be enough for villa, hje would'nt turn us down because of the spanish contingent at the club and alonso would'nt mind a return to spain. It would be great for liverpool because torres and villa play together at international level so they already have a good partnership. If alonso s not okay about going to valencia then seeing as athletico are interested then maybe rafa would be able to prise aguero away as part of a deal.

however I would love alonso to stay but if its for the good of the player and club then why not let him go.

Funny you should say that but I was thinking exactly the same thing the other day.

I was also watching highlights from the Cup game in Spain, Atletico v Valencia.  Aguero looked the most active and scored a stunning strike early in the game.  But I'm not doing a Sven by watching one game then making my mind up

I think maybe Aguero is the man we should be looking to bring in.  He's very young.

Villa is 26.  Not saying he is old but maybe it would be a wiser investment to prise young Aguero away from Madrid...

[Rafa La Bamba]

Xabi is my 3rd choice Centre Midfield.

Yeh, like Xabi is going to accept being 3rd choice in centre midfield. A player like him would rather move on and be 1st or 2nd choice rather than being a bench warmer.

[lil cisse]

I think rafas said his part so its not down to whether xabi would prefer to be 1st 2nd or 3rd choice its now more a matter of if he doesnt improve he will be lower choice.

[Rafa La Bamba]

Well if he wants to be simply a greedy buggar then he'll accept a role on the bench. If he wants to get out there and be a winner then he can either up his game or move on to another club and play his trade there...

[lil cisse]

I can't see him having that kind of greedy attitude to be honest. Doesnt seem the type atall.

[Rafa La Bamba]

I can't see him having that kind of greedy attitude to be honest. Doesnt seem the type atall.

But a part exchange deal with Valencia would seem wise wouldn't it? David Villa? David Silva? We are not crying out for Xabi Alonso but we are crying out for one of those! It would only make us stronger all round if we signed Silva or Villa for example... and then I'd get a midfielder who'd accept being on the bench.

[lil cisse]

Yeah of course. I just meant that I dont think he is the greedy im the best and what I say goes type. I'd love us to get Silva/Villa it would be a dream.

[riise' boot boy]

come on people, remember earlier in the season when alonso was injured, all the talk was "we're a different team without alonso" and "alonso makes us tick" and so on. he hasn't become a bad player he's just a little out of form. given a run of games he'll be back to his best.

I did however have suspicions he would be sold when alonso scarves and pics were in the january sale at the club shop

[artaylor]

There's a reason I said everyone plays better when Alonso plays, and that's because it's true. The defence has an outball that's not a hoof over the top, the wingers stick to the lines to receive passes, Gerrard roams forward, and the front men are always on their toes looking for balls over the top.

I still think the best formation we could possibly play, providing we got a couple of signings, would be a 4-3-3.

                  Reina
(WB)  Carra      Agger/Skrtel   (WB)
             Masch     Alonso
                    Gerrard
(WF)                              Babel
                    Torres

Two wingbacks/sidebacks need to be brought in for this to work. In the mould of Gael Clichy for instance; quick and able to defend but still whip a mean cross in. Also another winger to push forward, holding a wider position, opposite to Babel. Someone like Quaresma, for instance.

This way we keep Alonso, Mascherano continues to play and Gerrard gets a more attacking role. With a top class winger, (Benayoun as backup) alongside Torres and Babel, the attacking quartet of Stevie, Fernando, Ryan and this classy winger, would be quite something.