Alonso: Anfield exit talk rubbish
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Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has revealed that talk of him leaving Anfield this summer is well wide of the mark.
The classy Spanish schemer has had his preparations for the European Championship interrupted by reports emanating from both Spain and Italy that have suggested his time on Merseyside could be drawing to a close.
Both Real Madrid and Juventus have been credited with holding a long-standing interest in Alonso, with talk of Gareth Barry's possible arrival at Anfield doing little to silence the rumour mill further.
Rafa Benitez has spoken of how Barry's signing would be to complement rather than replace existing members of his squad, with the Reds boss alluding to the fact Aston Villa's captain is capable of occupying various positions and not just the central midfield berth favoured by Alonso.
It was only in June of last year that Alonso signed a contract extension that binds him to Liverpool until 2012 but to his exasperation, Spanish press repeatedly intimate that a return to his homeland is on the cards.
Alonso though remains fully committed to Liverpool and has no intention of swapping the Premier League for La Liga or Serie A any time soon.
"It surprises me because I know the real truth," Alonso told skysports.com, when quizzed on reports of an approach from Real Madrid.
"There has been no movement from Real Madrid, whether official or otherwise.
"At the moment I am with Liverpool, I have a contract with Liverpool and I want to be at Liverpool.
"I have been surprised and very disappointed to read that I want to leave Liverpool.
"The people who write these things have clearly not done very rigorous research."
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he is also injury-prone.