MARK HUGHES TO LAUNCH BID
Kop ace is just what Eastlands boss needs
MANCHESTER CITY are ready to splash £18million on Liverpool's Xabi Alonso.
City boss Mark Hughes can get his man for the right price as Kop manager Rafa Benitez edges closer to the £8m signing of Aston Villa's Gareth Barry.
Benitez is not actively trying to sell Alonso but a mega-City bid for the Spanish playmaker will be accepted. Liverpool hope City's interest will flush out other bids but Alonso would need persuading to move.
If he is forced out of Anfield, the 27-year-old would prefer a move to long-term admirers Real Madrid or Arsene Wenger's Arsenal.
But moneybags City could blow their rivals away as Hughes looks to build a team capable of qualifying for the Champions League.
A source close to City said: "Alonso has proved this season that he is the type of player Hughes needs. He is totally at home in English football, has great experience and he would fit straight in.
"City do need strong characters because everybody has seen the problems Robinho has been causing behind the scenes. It's down to the player. There are other clubs looking but financially Liverpool and Alonso will not find a better deal."
This article has 48 comments
Sell Alonso and buy Barry.... Barry is crap compared to Alonso. Why is Rafa so eager to sell him? Last year he tried to auction Alonso off. It`s got to be something personal...
By Bane. Posted May 15 2009 at 7:58 PM.
Xabi plays a vital role at Anfield. He is smart midfielder with thunderous shots. As an United fan, I hope that Mark, an United-old-boy, will get Xabi in City's line-up. It will be easier for the Reds to beat the Kop next season.
By Tungbengvn. Posted May 12 2009 at 7:15 AM.
Rafa would be stupid to sell Xabi, He's the best Liverpool's player so far!
By Henry. Posted May 11 2009 at 2:48 PM.
I think that the improvement Liverpool have done is there for everyone to see. The only players I would really sell are Voronin and Degen. Benayoun is proving to be a good player for us. Babel and Lucas are improving. Dossena improved as well. I would keep them. I would try to sign Tevez. Imagine Torres Gerrard and Tevez up front, with Masch and Alonso in Midfield helping out. That is a really winning team
By Roush. Posted May 11 2009 at 9:09 AM.
i really hope they don't sell away alonso,he's one of liverpool's key players and without him,its only up to torres and gerrard to improve liverpool's current form next season and it is not enough.liverpool will be a better team with barry,but alonso cannot leave.in my opinion,lucas should be sold,he doesnt have any skills,after seeing the first leg of chelsea vs liverpool,his goal was pure luck.
i hope tevez would move to liverpool:)
By shiril. Posted May 11 2009 at 6:22 AM.
I agree Barry is not as good as Alonso. Even PoTY, Ryan Giggs thot Alonso should at least be a nominee for the PoTY Award. I'm OK with Barry comes in if Alonso doesn't leave.
There are other candidates whom I think should leave: Babel (keep Benayoun), Dossena (keep Insua) and the 2 youngish forwards i.e. Ngog and the Moroccan whom I think are not as impressive as Vela (of Arsenal) and Macheda (of Man U).
'pool can keep Lucas as a back-up to Alonso and Masherano. However, the squad is in need of forwards. Assume Kuyt (being played out of position) is a stand-by to Torres and Gerrard, players like Tevez and Agbonlabor could really strengthen the squad.
By yapyw. Posted May 11 2009 at 5:03 AM.
Xabi,
If for any reason you read this, then if god forbid you leave, then im sure every Liverpool fan will miss you and wish you EVERY SUCCESS in the rest of your career.
However we also dont want you to bloody leave either.
My other comments about you are mentioned below
(By Wayne . Posted May 10 2009 at 9:53 AM.)
Good luck with the rest of the seasonn
X.A 14
By Wayne. Posted May 11 2009 at 3:13 AM.
Rafa seems to be obsessed with Barry who we certainly don't need!Xabi Alonso is a far better player so he must stay!
By Imran. Posted May 11 2009 at 1:47 AM.
Please, Benitez. do not bow to the wishes of Gerrald.Do what is good for the club.Barry is not the right replacement for Alonzo, perhaps somebody in class of Essien.
By ME Annan. Posted May 11 2009 at 1:17 AM.
Times like this i really worry about Rafa. This is such a bad deal...everyone can see it!...
This is another robbie keane/ peter crouch/ morientes/etc mistake from rafa. We are selling a good player to replace him with one that isnt as good.
Someone please tell me if im missing something here..
By shane.. Posted May 11 2009 at 12:17 AM.
Alonso makes the centre of the pitch tick if Stevie G is not playing. He scores for 2 Spain, but is forced into long range shooting by our "master tactician." Xabi tackles well, and can spray a pass anywhere on the pitch. I don't know if all this is fuelled by Stevie G wanting to play at Anfield with an England teammate, bit it's misguided. I would rather see Arteta in L4 than Barry.
By Jono. Posted May 11 2009 at 12:12 AM.
It is unbelivable that Rafa would want to sell Alonso for Barry. True Barry is a good player, but you can't compare him to Alonso. Alonso is by far fbetter or superior than Garrry. It would be another worst mistake in Footbal history. Rafa can you recall what happen to Real Madrin when they sold Makalele. It took them time to find a perfect replacement. Please you are a great Manager, put on your thinking cap Rafa.
By Ansu Kamara. Posted May 10 2009 at 11:02 PM.
Benitez has already said Alonso is a key player and not for sale.
Barry will sign for Liverpool because he's a good player, versatile and English - can play LB, CM and LM.
Other players will be sold - Babel, Lucas, Dossena, Voronin etc.
By Jay. Posted May 10 2009 at 7:44 PM.
Another summer coming up and the media start the
same old.... again.Alonso and Rafa say he's going
nowhere.Sure LFC might buy Barry,but doesn't
mean Xabi is going.
By Dave. Posted May 10 2009 at 6:49 PM.
Well Alonso has been our best player !
he showed he's pure class
but what liverpool need is match winners
we don't have enough in our team
some are developping like babel,lucas
i believe if liverpool wants to dominate football we need to have scoring midfielders
that'swhat we lack!
Alonso though class in passing the ball he's the centre of liverpool
needs to score more goals that's where liverpool have been penalised
against team who'll look for draws we need to transform the team into more attacking mode!
By kes. Posted May 10 2009 at 6:22 PM.
well said Alex, bonnythescouser totally agree with you guys
By sid. Posted May 10 2009 at 6:08 PM.
liverpool do not Xabi Alonso for barry
By dom. Posted May 10 2009 at 5:09 PM.
COME ON ABERDEEN!!!
By Lee Miller. Posted May 10 2009 at 3:16 PM.
I think rafa needs to see a psychiatrist or optician if he thinks barry is better than alonso. Alonso has been a far better player consistantly than barry ever will.
how many goals has barry scored compared to alonso? but alonso is far more cleverer than barry ever will be, alonso has been treated badly by rafa but he still gets on with his game, he's the best and most consistant player we have. He should be offered a contract for the rest of his playing career at ANFIELD not anywhere else.
Rafa keep alonso and forget barry
By bonnythescouser. Posted May 10 2009 at 12:51 PM.
plesssse liver give alonso to man
By walid. Posted May 10 2009 at 12:01 PM.
Alonso is a true professional. With all the rumours that rafa wanted him out last summer he remained silent and dignified. This is how Liverpool used to be run and his ability on the field is well known. His quite character, the way he has settled into English life, he also gets stuck into tackles and of course his vision and passing are unique. Barry is good but not that good.
I love LFC and Rafa but I do wonder about his man management skills, his inability to "put an arm around a player". The way Keane was treated was shocking and Alonso's treatment by Rafa might go the same way.
PLEASE PLEASE Rafa do not sell Xabi Alonso, he is too important to LFC and I am sure there aren't many players in the world that can do what Xabi does best.
YNWA.
By Nav. Posted May 10 2009 at 12:32 PM.
Why do you all listen to and believe the media speculation over our manager. Rafa and Alonso have both said he is going to be nowhere else next season but Anfield..
Rafa will get Barry,,but not as replacement for Alonso. Barry will fill the left back position with Aurellio as cover.
Rafa likes versatile players who can fill a number of rolls and who satisfy his work ethic for the team.
Stop believing the tosh in the papers folks and calm down.
Carl - YNWA
By carl. Posted May 10 2009 at 12:28 PM.
Alonso is a true professional. With all the rumours that rafa wanted him out last summer he remained silent and dignified. This is how Liverpool used to be run and his ability on the field is well known. His quite character, the way he has settled into English life, he also gets stuck into tackles and of course his vision and passing are unique. Barry is good but not that good.
I love LFC and Rafa but I do wonder about his man management skills, his inability to "put an arm around a player". The way Keane was treated was shocking and Alonso's treatment by Rafa might go the same way.
PLEASE PLEASE Rafa do not sell Xabi Alonso, he is too important to LFC and I am sure there aren't many players in the world that can do what Xabi does best.
YNWA.
By Nav. Posted May 10 2009 at 11:30 AM.
I think rafa needs to see a psychiatrist or optician if he thinks barry is better than alonso. Alonso has been a far better player consistantly than barry ever will.
how many goals has barry scored compared to alonso? but alonso is far more cleverer than barry ever will be, alonso has been treated badly by rafa but he still gets on with his game, he's the best and most consistant player we have. He should be offered a contract for the rest of his playing career at ANFIELD not anywhere else.
Rafa keep alonso and forget barry
By bonnythescouser. Posted May 10 2009 at 11:27 AM.
Rafa saying he doesn't want to sell Xabi? Yeah right. If the right offer comes in he'll go and Rafa has made sure every interested club knows that.
By Alex. Posted May 10 2009 at 11:10 AM.
Great thinking Sparky-thats 4 holding mids your trying to play. The name of the game is to score not defend!
By Jez. Posted May 10 2009 at 10:40 AM.
has bentiz went crazy. are u joking get barry for alonso no chance.
i think he should KEEP ALONSO and BABEL.
He should sell dossena lucas leto vorinin degan reira and itandje
and should get tevez silva glen johnson get a distant centre back and a ok goalie
but plzzzzzzzzzzz dont sell ALONSO plzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
By mo. Posted May 10 2009 at 10:45 AM.
ALONSO WILL GO BECAUSE BENITEZ NEEDS MONEY AND IF HE SELLS HIM HE WILL GET 18m AND THEN HE WILL BUY BARRY FOR 8m AND HE WILL HAVE AN EXTRA 10m PLUS HE IS GETTING A 64M SPREE SO HE COULD BUY BETTER PLAYERS WITH 74m.
By T. Posted May 10 2009 at 10:42 AM.
he's not going anywhere or for that price. alonso is possibly the best passer of the ball in the premiership. city would have to double that before they got anywhere near his true valuation.
By dan. Posted May 10 2009 at 10:56 AM.
How many times does Rafa need to say he isn't going to sell Alonso before people accept it?
By Ash. Posted May 10 2009 at 10:32 AM.
Alonso will not be going anywhere.
He is by far better than Barry and if he does get sold then I cannot see anything less than 20m.
By Matt. Posted May 10 2009 at 10:36 AM.
This would be an amazing signing for City. Hughes will develop a great team during the summer, and should be judged on where they finish next season. CITY clearly need a decent CB and CF, if santa cruz signs for them next year, there line up would be more like the Wales line up Hughes had. With Bellamy and Robinho off Santa Cruz.
By Lee. Posted May 10 2009 at 10:16 AM.
Alonso...
Rafa i cant believe you are still thinking of selling our BEST player and 3rd in line to captain our side behind Gerrard & Carra...
Lucas HAS TO GO, first and foremost..
I will loose respect for Rafa if he gets rid of the most important player in our team.
If for any random reason you read this Rafa, PLEASE dont sell him.
X.A 14
By Wayne . Posted May 10 2009 at 9:53 AM.
alonso best passing in prem barry good but not in alonso league
By batson. Posted May 10 2009 at 9:34 AM.
I respect Rafa a lot, but I think he will be making a huge mistake offloading Alonso,who has inspired them in so many games alongside Stevie, Benayoun, Kiyt, Torres,etc. Rafa should replace Lucas with Barry instead. I hope Rafa heed to my comment and keep Xabi. lol . Though I am a Gunner, I have a lot of respect for Liverpool .
By Tony. Posted May 10 2009 at 9:29 AM.
alonso is the best accomplished player in the world. just don't sell him fullstop.when alonso is not playing,there is no direction in the midfield of the mighty reds. don't sell the magician.i dont think he wants to go.
By cap nyj. Posted May 10 2009 at 9:28 AM.
liverpool should not sign barry he's no where near as good as alonso, they should sign gourcuff, silva,
villa, johnson, and some wonderkids rafa needs some young talent in the squad!
By lewis s. Posted May 10 2009 at 9:24 AM.
Barry for Alonso ..what a joke.Barry wll never get a game for Spain..Barry is not half the player that Alonso are..
By lee. Posted May 10 2009 at 9:11 AM.
One thing I don't get is all the people who are saying we need to trim our squad down. We are Liverpool, we play 60+ games a season and are gunning for each title we are going for. We need a squad with depth. Man Utd have great depth and they can cope with injuries and win titles. We need depth, we also don't need to buy too many players, only 2 top class players, a right winger, even though I'm a big fan of Dirk, a winger will give us versatility and we are going for Kuba for around 7 mil. We also need a top quality striker to back up Torres. Keirrison would be ideal, young, learning the trade, not such a big ego that he has to play every minute, but good enough that he can fill in. He would probably cost in the 20mil region. some people say we have a problem with depth in the right back position, but Kuba can also play as right fullback, so that would be perfect.
By AussieRed. Posted May 10 2009 at 9:07 AM.
What is Rafa playing at? Can't believe rafa is thinking of selling Alanso and buying Barry there is no match at all, and what a massive step backward s for liverpool.
By Mike L. Posted May 10 2009 at 8:59 AM.
Absolute travesty if Alonso is allowed to go. Arguably Liverpool's best player this season & to be possible replaced by Barry ?. As a Liverpool fan, I'm fully behind our manager, but this would be one big error of judgment which could come back to haunt us.
By Adam Dodsworth. Posted May 10 2009 at 6:16 AM.
Bbenitez would not be foolish enough to sell Alonso, arguably the player of the season for Liverpool. Our back up midfielders are Spearing & Lucas, hence the need for Barry, an experienced, versatile & useful player who will add depth to the squad.
By Mike. Posted May 10 2009 at 4:43 AM.
with over 60 players on the books liverpool could sell 30 and still have a bigger squad than clubs like bolton.
Alonso wont want to go to city. kaka, turnt em down, eto'o, turnt em down,john terry, turnt em down, raul, has just turnt em down and alonso will do the same. Why ? well they are already rich beyond their wildest dreams, so money is of little interest to them, so big pay packets wont attract them. success is what every footballer craves, unless of course you happen to be a mercenary like robinho, so why would any footballer who is world class want to go and play for a club that wont be playing champions league football next season when the club they play for will and they could sign for any club that is in the champions league next season.
By fred. Posted May 10 2009 at 3:55 AM.
the only man allowed to be bigger than the club, egotistical benitez. why sell alonso for barry...?
why sell alonso at all..?
why do you think we need barry...?
spend the money on positions that we are weak in, surely that makes us a better team/stronger squad.
sell dossena - utterly useless rafa and another one of yours.
sell degan - who...?
sell vorinin
sell youth/reserve players who never going to get a chance, hammil, anderson etc...
MUST BUY YOUANN GOURCUFF - FORGET SILVA, this guy has much more potential and built for prem. also cheaper and thankfully not Spanish... give him 10 and call him petit zizou
Buy Dzeko - unbelievable, play with or without torres (if injured or tired after spanish summer confed cup)
Buy Richards instead of overpriced Johnson, he will come good again and offers more versitility.
Striker, attack mid, and defender - and not silly money.
Come on rafa, take note, quality not quantity and please please give up on barry. anyone else notice villas slip down the league come the end of the season....again? do e really want a quiter for our title push next year.
I'm tired of liverpool's no one man bigger than the club - unless your name is rafa (outragous behaviour with contract saga and his egotistical, stubborn swagger) great coach and tactican, poor in the market and hasn't won anything for 3 years.... time to deliver and stop blaming everyone else.....
By toptip. Posted May 10 2009 at 2:47 AM.
it would be a massive mistake to sell Alonso, he is one of our star players this season n will be important again next season... The only way it can be done is we get a player better than Alonso, not Barry!!!! As njau mentioned it will be a step backward!! Only if Rafa will listening to us.. lol
By sam. Posted May 10 2009 at 2:17 AM.
Barry would be better on the left than Riera, so keep Alonso, sell Riera and we are all happy. Selling Alonso would be A Big Step backwards for Liverpool.
By njau. Posted May 10 2009 at 1:43 AM.
Andy- I totally agree!!!
Barry isn't even half the player that Alonso is, and if Villa wanted 18million for Barry last year ... im sorry but Alonso is in the same area that chelsea paid for Essien (around 26million)
By Luke B. Posted May 10 2009 at 1:19 AM.
I Cannot believe Liverpool would even contemplate selling Alonso for Barry its a total mismatch Alonso is far, far superieor in all attributes compared to Barry
By Andy. Posted May 10 2009 at 12:25 AM.