Xabi on Rafa "Actually, it was not anything serious"

just before the birth of her first child in circumstances that talk about how to understand the life of Xabi, who faced Rafa Benitez, his coach, with his wife in trance.  "Actually, it was not anything serious," he warns. "On Saturday we played against Newcastle, and her water broke on Sunday. On Monday I had to travel to Milan to play the Champions League and I told Mr Benitez. that if I wanted, I would incorporate if the child was born," he explains. "I can not wait," replied his coach. Xabi said he understood, but stayed in Liverpool.  "Benitez never forced me to go to Milan, I knew I would have stayed", reveals the midfielder.

Link To Spanish Article


Can we put the Myth that Rafa forced Xabi out to bed now ?

Not really seeing as xabi as actually said as much

Not really seeing as xabi as actually said as much

Depends what you read really as Xabi also said he just wanted to return home and raise his family in Spain.

Can we put the Myth that Rafa forced Xabi out to bed now ?

I never felt it had anything to do with that, it was always the fact that he tried to sell Alonso to Juve to buy Barry after being told that he couldn't have them both.  Alonso left for a variety of reasons, the lure of Real, raising his child in Spain, the money (tax) and because Rafa didn't exactly beg him to stay.  Rafa didn't force him out, but I think it was a contributing factor.

Not really seeing as xabi as actually said as much

No he doesn't!!

Not that it matters now we're stuck with Hodgson and Poulsen.

Not that it matters now we're stuck with Hodgson and Poulsen.

Exactly why this has been moved to the General Footy board. Regrettably.

It's ancient history for me this now.

Wasn't there a post that said Rafa wanted BOTH Barry and Alonso in the team or something in one of the threads?

I don't really think the fact that Xabi chose to stay with his wife was the problem. If it was, it is indeed, a small thing, IMO.

I think it's because Xabi has been at Anfield for 5 years and he wanted to raise his young son in Spain.

Never believed the Rafa forced him out crap anyways.

Wasn't there a post that said Rafa wanted BOTH Barry and Alonso in the team or something in one of the threads?

I don't really think the fact that Xabi chose to stay with his wife was the problem. If it was, it is indeed, a small thing, IMO.

I think it's because Xabi has been at Anfield for 5 years and he wanted to raise his young son in Spain.

He did. I'm pretty sure he wanted his team that season to be this:

Reina
Arbeloa - Carragher - Agger - Aurelio
Mascherano
Alonso - Barry
Gerrard
Keane - Torres

What a team that would have been! 

Never believed the Rafa forced him out crap anyways.

Same here & always thought it was a case of Alonso wanting to go home.

In fact, in Wikipedia (not the best of sources but still...), it was said that Xabi never wanted to leave Liverpool but differences with Rafa made him think otherwise.

He had many more reasons to go back to Spain, his young family and of course the chance of playing for Real Madrid, whom he almost joined instead of Liverpool when he left Real Sociedad. So in a way, it was the second offer he couldn't turn down.

He did. I'm pretty sure he wanted his team that season to be this:

Reina
Arbeloa - Carragher - Agger - Aurelio
Mascherano
Alonso - Barry
Gerrard
Keane - Torres

What a team that would have been! 

That team would have been capable of winning the double!