Liverpool continue to be linked with a January move for club-favourite Xabi Alonso, and new reports this week suggest that Brendan Rodgers is taking active steps to make the transfer a reality.
According to reports today:
* Rodgers definitely 'wants Alonso back at Anfield'.
* Real are willing to sell Alonso for a token fee in January to avoid him leaving on a free.
* Rodgers is trying to convince FSG to sanction a deal for the Spaniard.
Transfer Boost: BR trying to convince FSG to sign 'incredible' €30m. Needed...?
Transfer Boost: BR trying to convince FSG to sign 'incredible' €30m. Needed...?
Speculation over Alonso's return to Anfield is a regular thing, and in September, Spanish newspaper Marca reported:
"Alonso...is yet to renew his contract, which comes to an end on 30th June 2014. Florentino Pérez has reportedly set his price tag at €6 million"
In April, Alonso - who cost Real Madrid €30m in 2009 - hinted that a Liverpool move in the future could be a possibility'. He said:
"I have not decided where to play in the future. My return to Anfield? I had an amazing time during my long experience in Liverpool with the jersey of the Reds."
When asked in July if there is any chance of Alonso returning to Liverpool, Rodgers told reporters:
"Xabi Alonso was an incredible player for this club, a wonderful role model, but he is in a different moment in his career with Real Madrid"
Two weeks later, Alonso - who is currently recovering from a metatarsal injury - gave reporters a similarly unambiguous response when quizzed about a summer return to Anfield. He told reporters:
"The Premier League? No. There's no way, no chance"
Reds legend Dietmar Hamann wants Alonso to return, but he's not sure it will ever happen. He tweeted recently:
"I'd love to see Xabi Alonso back at Anfield. He's a pleasure to watch, but I'm not sure whether there is any truth in it. I can't really see it happening"
I'm sure the instinctive reaction of most Reds fans - including myself - is 'get him!'. However, would it be a good idea?
* Alonso is not the quickest player, and given the current immobility of Liverpool's midfield, would it be wise to have another one-paced player in the centre of the field?
* Rodgers is not going to drop Gerrard, and Alonso is not a defensive midfielder like Lucas, so where would he play, and at whose expense?
* A midfield three of Gerrard/Lucas/Alonso would not work (IMO), and it would almost certainly mean Henderson being dropped, which would rob the team of a much needed source of energy, stamina and strength.
€6m is an eminently affordable price for a bona-fide world class midfielder, but I'd hate to see Alonso return to Anfield and spend most of his time on the bench (due to squad rotation/preference for younger players etc).
Additionally, given the fact Alonso can leave for free next summer, it's probable that FSG would refuse to sanction the deal - they'd probably tell Rodgers to wait until June and get him for nothing.
Kolo Toure came in for free over the summer, which shows FSG is willing to sanction moves for players in their thirties, but if Man City wanted €6m for him, would the deal have gone through? I doubt it.
Jaimie Kanwar
NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)
According to reports today:
* Rodgers definitely 'wants Alonso back at Anfield'.
* Real are willing to sell Alonso for a token fee in January to avoid him leaving on a free.
* Rodgers is trying to convince FSG to sanction a deal for the Spaniard.
Transfer Boost: BR trying to convince FSG to sign 'incredible' €30m. Needed...?
Transfer Boost: BR trying to convince FSG to sign 'incredible' €30m. Needed...?
Speculation over Alonso's return to Anfield is a regular thing, and in September, Spanish newspaper Marca reported:
"Alonso...is yet to renew his contract, which comes to an end on 30th June 2014. Florentino Pérez has reportedly set his price tag at €6 million"
In April, Alonso - who cost Real Madrid €30m in 2009 - hinted that a Liverpool move in the future could be a possibility'. He said:
"I have not decided where to play in the future. My return to Anfield? I had an amazing time during my long experience in Liverpool with the jersey of the Reds."
When asked in July if there is any chance of Alonso returning to Liverpool, Rodgers told reporters:
"Xabi Alonso was an incredible player for this club, a wonderful role model, but he is in a different moment in his career with Real Madrid"
Two weeks later, Alonso - who is currently recovering from a metatarsal injury - gave reporters a similarly unambiguous response when quizzed about a summer return to Anfield. He told reporters:
"The Premier League? No. There's no way, no chance"
Reds legend Dietmar Hamann wants Alonso to return, but he's not sure it will ever happen. He tweeted recently:
"I'd love to see Xabi Alonso back at Anfield. He's a pleasure to watch, but I'm not sure whether there is any truth in it. I can't really see it happening"
I'm sure the instinctive reaction of most Reds fans - including myself - is 'get him!'. However, would it be a good idea?
* Alonso is not the quickest player, and given the current immobility of Liverpool's midfield, would it be wise to have another one-paced player in the centre of the field?
* Rodgers is not going to drop Gerrard, and Alonso is not a defensive midfielder like Lucas, so where would he play, and at whose expense?
* A midfield three of Gerrard/Lucas/Alonso would not work (IMO), and it would almost certainly mean Henderson being dropped, which would rob the team of a much needed source of energy, stamina and strength.
€6m is an eminently affordable price for a bona-fide world class midfielder, but I'd hate to see Alonso return to Anfield and spend most of his time on the bench (due to squad rotation/preference for younger players etc).
Additionally, given the fact Alonso can leave for free next summer, it's probable that FSG would refuse to sanction the deal - they'd probably tell Rodgers to wait until June and get him for nothing.
Kolo Toure came in for free over the summer, which shows FSG is willing to sanction moves for players in their thirties, but if Man City wanted €6m for him, would the deal have gone through? I doubt it.
Jaimie Kanwar
NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)
Six million euros is five million pounds? Would be a good solution for the short term. I don't think Alonso would have much trouble keeping Lucas and Allen out of the team either.
ReplyDeletei wonder if fsg would sanction a move for koke .......he wont be cheap .....
ReplyDeleteDifference between Kolo deal and potential re-signing of Alonso is that the latter has shown what he can do in a red shirt. Toure was still a gamble but it has paid off spectacularly.
ReplyDeleteHaving him & Alonso in the team, especially if we're in for a shout of the title, would be invaluable due to their experience in winning teams.
I think Xabi would be perfect if we are going to persist with 3-5-2.
ReplyDeleteSuper - Super Dan
ReplyDeleteSuper - Super Dan
Super - Super Dan
Super DANNY MURPHY
I think it would be a great signing provided that we plan to play him in rotation.
ReplyDeleteHe can't sit on the bench and he can't be starting every game just because of age and supplanting who else plays (Lucas).
Caught Offside is the original 'source' for that story, which means it's made up.
ReplyDeleteAlonso is what I call a world class player. Maybe now is the wrong timing.
ReplyDeleteWe need a much needed burst of energy and attacking threat from midfield. Currently, Lucas and Gerrard do not offer that at all, Alonso would not be also.
I'm sure we can bring a good player in Jan instead of him. But, say it was a 1y deal then why not? As long as he does not expect to play every week then that could be a good thing.
I feel our midfield is dragging us back, like Jamie said, lack of mobility and attacking threat.
I would give so much respect to BR if he dropped Gerrard. IMO we should give Hendo and Allen a chance to play together.
Lucas, although has many good qualities, is missing that little bit of quality.
very sad ......... he would be an ideal foil to mhiktaryan and willian imo
ReplyDeleteI cannot see Atletico willing to sell their rising star. They're not the same club that had to sell us Torres anymore. If anything, they're actually ahead of us. A move for Alonso would always be short term aimed at this season and cover for next season when we bring in younger blood in the summer.
ReplyDeleteTitle? Let's just say top four for now :-)
ReplyDeleteIndeed. What is he like?
ReplyDeleteHeard of him but don't know much about him.
I would love for Atletico to win the league. I am supporting them.
ReplyDeleteThat Diego Costa is a beast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We missed out.
he is a lot like isco .......not as well refined as him but has good vision and attacking position ......not so great defensively ......a lot like coutinho but involves himself in the game more
ReplyDeleteWhat if come Jan or Feb we're still in the top 4 within 2-3 points of the leaders? Would we be good enough for that extra push?
ReplyDeletein all fairness he didnt want to leave .....there is nothing much we could do about it at least unlike arsenal we put in abid that matched the players value
ReplyDeleteas i said to fdotm we did put a bid that represented costas value ....so atletico didnt really rebuff us it was costa who pullked the plug it wont hurt to try id say ......we could also offer allen as makeweight :P
ReplyDeleteIndeed! I respect that as well.
ReplyDeleteSounds promising!!!!
ReplyDeleteSpain has so much talent. Yet we have the "best league in the world".
I think that title should go to the Bundesliga IMO.
agree on allen hendo prtnership .....but first let him recover from that injury of his .....till then why dont we try texiria instead of moses in the number 10 position ....... ive moses a break .... we dont want to be handling a massively improved player to chelsea now do we
ReplyDeleteIt never hurts to try :-)
ReplyDeleteactually u may want to change that spain to best attacking midfield talent ........ i really dont see them producing much of defensive mid or defenders ..... i mean for all his hype illaramendi is just a rich mans joe allen ........ germany on the other hand have the best defense and complete midfield pacakage ....so yeah even i would handle them the best league title
ReplyDeletePersonally, I think LFC could only benefit in bringing Alonso back. He can be that inspiration to the youngsters and guide them in their progression to become great midfielders (as Hamman was to Gerard)...
ReplyDeleteI think the title is up for grabs this season. Man U are weaker than they ever were, Chelsea are getting used to Mourinho, Citeh are as inconsistent as Real Madrid, Arsenal and Spurs always suffer from poor runs as well and we're doing better than our football suggests at times. Any of those teams can end up winning it and any of them can end up sixth in the table. If someone offered me a guaranteed third place finish right now, I would probably take it. Having said that, the club that can be the most consistent will take it in the end and I honestly believe we have as good a chance as any of the others to be that team. If I know one thing it's that this is our big chance to close the gap and I hope our investment in January and next summer will reflect that. Especially if we end up in the CL places.
ReplyDeletetry Gerrard instead of Moses...Gerrard's defence isn't great and Benitez always thought Gerrard would end up as an attacker at the end of his career
ReplyDeletewell rodgers like wasting gerrards talents on defense soooooo
ReplyDeletehe is a traitor same as torres or owen
ReplyDeletehe deserted us at the first oppertuanity
real madrid came calling
the club wanted him to stay rafa wanted him to stay but he left and constantly iblamed rafa for it further damaging lfc .
BS. Rafa was the genius behind Alonso's move when he was after Gareth Barry plus Rafa treated Alosno like a child. Rafa did not want Alonso to attend the birth of his child.
ReplyDeleteAlonso is a class player and will always go down as one of the best to have kicked the ball in a Liverpool uniform. Alonso will always be remembered for his two spectacular goals scored from his own half. One of the goals came in the 2005-2006 season during an FA cup match against Luton Town. The other came that same season against Newcastle during LIverpool's 2-0 victory. Alonso is a player that Liverpool could not really replace for the longest time. Till may be now.
ReplyDeleteI would love to see Alonso return to the Merseyside but i think it really would be a bad idea if he did. Why ? simply because he is much older now at 31. He won't be the same player because he would have obviously lost a step or two. Fans might expect him to maybe score from his own half or perform exactly like he used to do when he last played for us and might be disappointed when he fails to do so. For the same reasons Chrisiano Ronaldo can't return to Manchester United or Didier Drogba ever return to Chelsea or Cesc Fabregas to Arsenal, I believe that we won't see a Xabi Alonso return at Anfield. It is never as good as the first time just like the song by the 90's music diva Sade titled "never as good as the first time." He would always compared to his performance during his first stint at Liverpool and that is not fair to him. He is one of the top footballers in the world and still a regular on the Spanish national team but Liverpool can easily pay a younger person a decent quality a lot less money to pull the strings for us in a central midfield position. I know Rodgers is very keen on Will Hughes of Derby County. We need to look around carefully for the right type of player.
so what rafa was the boss , and you listen to the boss
ReplyDeletewhy is alonso moaning
rafa can treat anyone who he wants , in the same way the owner does
and if the player does not accept that he is a traitor
Alonso would be an ideal signing. I agree that Gerrard/Lucas is not working but that's exactly where Alonso would fit in. Gerrard isn't working out to well as a deep lying playmaker but he is a formidable DM. He'll battle all day, has the smarts to know when to tackle and when not. For the run in of the season, a midfield of Gerrard, Alonso and Henderson would work very well imo. I also just read that Paul Pogba may become available either in January or the summer. If the price is right, he could be an ideal long term replacement for Gerrard in DM whereas Henderson could replace him in attack.
ReplyDeleteThey call him "Charlie", which is nothing to be sniffed at.
ReplyDeletejust what we need another snail in midfield im sorry but as good as he is we need some pace in the middle
ReplyDeleteWe do need pace and stamina, and with Alonso coming off a major injury, he would not provide an immediate impact, if in fact he can ever get back to his best, before injuries and age catches up with him.
ReplyDeleteWhy would an Atletico player come to us?
ReplyDeleteUnless the player is unhappy or something, they have no (footballing) motivation.
They're joint top of La Liga, 5 points clear of Real, they're the holders of the Copa Del Rey and they're in the Champions League.
They're on the up. We are too I believe, but we're behind them in the development process.
Koke does look good though.
I don't really see the point, Gerrard is playing the Alonso role nowadays. The only way it would work is on a free and Xabi would have to agree to spend most his time on the bench, which I would hate to see. I would much rather spend the wages on a quality high intensity midfielder who can score a few goals.
ReplyDeleteI truly believe Liverpool needs to go after Alex Song. he's a forgotten man at barca, he is only 26 so he just hitting his prime and that makes world class competition for lucas and will add another dimension to liverpool both in the attack and defensively. he ticks the mobility we lack in midfield and will free up gerrard to get forward a little more. he is proven in the epl also
ReplyDeleteWhat happens to Pastore and Menez?? Also, Koke. Talksport is also reporting that LFC are interested him.
ReplyDeleteJust so long as he isn't the only midfield reinforcement. Henderson, on his current form is irreplaceable in my opinion, for his energy, closing down and ball winning potential if nothing else. Alonso, like Stevie are 'distribution' central midfielders, give them he ball and they can pick out a peach of a long pass, but rely on them to put a tackle in, track back, be aggressive and physical to win back possession, not going to happen. Passing range aside, Hendo could be said to have Stevie's drive and hustle that he had in his early to late twenties. Defensively both he and Lucas,m as we have seen, have been overrun far too often and Alonso would not help with this aspect of the problem, but if we get him, then we have the option to rotate him with Gerrard, but I'm not sure playing them together would be an option, unless we had Hendo as defensive mid, and Stevie pushed up behind Sturridge.
ReplyDeleteAlonso would have stayed if it was not for Rafa. Rafa got rid of Alonso and signed a cripple Italian and look what happened.
ReplyDeleteThere is a reason why Rafa is not at the club anymore and it is for the better.
Best young defensive midfielders are from France I think. Kondogbia, Capoue, M'Vila, Gonalons , I missed a few!
ReplyDeleteWhere is Schneiderlin from? Sounds German, good player.
I loved Alonso when he was at the club but dont think we need him back. He would not fit in now and not what we need in midfield, i would rather us bring a talented young DM to compete with Lucas.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Where are we gonna put him!!
ReplyDeleteI'd love Xabi back at Liverpool! He's never been the quickest but I think the way he plays he doesn't need to be as he is that intelligent finding space off the ball so he can just dictate the play! I think the way he plays he could have a very similar impact to Scholes at United! They're both very similar and didn't need to be the quickest or most athletic to influence the game! You only have to look at how united are struggling for creativity now that he's gone! The difference is that Xabi can actually put in a tackle! Don't underestimate him because he's 31 and sign him up!!
ReplyDeletem'villa isnt really setting the world on fire now ......capoue hit the ground running but ill wait till the end of the season before labelling him hit or miss
ReplyDeletedunno maybe to play with suarez :P or sturridge :P :P :P or brendan :P
ReplyDelete