Alonso future on the line
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Wanted by Real & Barca
XABI ALONSO’S future at Liverpool is on the line after he opted to stay in England for the birth of his first child.
The midfielder’s partner Nagore was due to go into labour as the team flew to Italy for tonight’s Champions League clash with Inter Milan.
Alonso still hoped to link up with the squad in Milan this morning — but boss Rafa Benitez KO’d any chance.
Now Real Madrid and Barcelona target Alonso could be off-loaded.
Benitez said: “He had clear ideas. He wanted to come out only if everything was OK.
"We couldn’t just wait and then hear no information. So in the end we had to decide.
“I can’t wait and wait and wait for one player right until the end when you don’t know what’s going on.”
It caps a remarkable change in fortunes for Alonso, who was once Benitez’s mouthpiece on the pitch following his £10million arrival from Real Sociedad four years ago.
The Spaniard, 26, signed a new long-term contract in the summer but has failed to regain a regular slot since breaking a metatarsal in September. Benitez even stuck him in the reserves a fortnight ago but he has started the last three games.
The Kop boss has always insisted football comes first. Benitez stayed in Japan for the World Club Championship in 2005 when his father died during the tournament.
Javier Mascherano, who is fit again after a dead leg, is set to partner Lucas in midfield at the San Siro.
Jamie Carragher could move to right-back with Martin Skrtel and Sami Hyypia in the centre.
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Liverpool should offload Mr Keng first ...
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Originally posted by Trump_Card:
Liverpool should offload Mr Keng first ...
agreed..i jus hate Pool no7 to e core
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cant blame alonso for staying in england.
its his 1st child after all.
but benitez wun sell him just becos of this one incident.
hes still very good.
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I dunno where is this rumour from but I have not come across news that his career at LFC is on the line. Whatever the rumours are, Alonso should not be sold and Benitez is likely not going to anyway. Why should he do so when our schemer is still the best passer and distributor of the ball in any range in the squad? Alonso also worked with Torres at International level so the understanding is there.
Best wishes to his first born child, a full recovery to his injury and be fighting fit for the rest of the campaign.
