Four years after leaving Anfield, Real Madrid star Xabi Alonso is still lionised by Liverpool fans, many of whom remain hopeful that Spaniard will return to the club at some point. Speculation continues to intensify over the Spaniard's future, but it now appears that the fan-dream of a long-mooted return to LFC is never going to happen.
Alonso - who cost Real Madrid €30m in 2009 - has been regularly linked with a return to Liverpool, and in April the Spaniard who admitted last year that he 'misses' Anfield - 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."
Well, according to Spanish journalist Pipi Estrada, Alonso has decided that a return to Liverpool is not on the cards. Speaking on sports show Punto Pelota last night, Estrada explained:
"Xabi will not go to the Premier League, Serie A or the French league - his future is in the U.S., at Los Angeles Galaxy or New York Red Bulls, where he will sign a 2-year deal.
"Alonso wants to play in a new league, in another country and experience another culture. There is talk that he could go to England, France or Italy, but Alonso wants to go to the U.S."
This seems to tie-in with Alonso's comments over the summer, when he told reporters:
"The Premier League? No. There's no way, no chance"
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers also ruled out a move for Alonso recently:
"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"
So there you have it. The dream is dead, though it's probably for the best. Alonso is an amazing, bona-fide world-class player, but a midfield three of Gerrard-Lucas-Alonso is (IMO) too immobile to be consistently effective in the Premier League.
That notwithstanding, it still would've been amazing to see Xabi in the red shirt again...
Jaimie Kanwar
NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)
Alonso - who cost Real Madrid €30m in 2009 - has been regularly linked with a return to Liverpool, and in April the Spaniard who admitted last year that he 'misses' Anfield - 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."
Well, according to Spanish journalist Pipi Estrada, Alonso has decided that a return to Liverpool is not on the cards. Speaking on sports show Punto Pelota last night, Estrada explained:
"Xabi will not go to the Premier League, Serie A or the French league - his future is in the U.S., at Los Angeles Galaxy or New York Red Bulls, where he will sign a 2-year deal.
"Alonso wants to play in a new league, in another country and experience another culture. There is talk that he could go to England, France or Italy, but Alonso wants to go to the U.S."
This seems to tie-in with Alonso's comments over the summer, when he told reporters:
"The Premier League? No. There's no way, no chance"
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers also ruled out a move for Alonso recently:
"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"
So there you have it. The dream is dead, though it's probably for the best. Alonso is an amazing, bona-fide world-class player, but a midfield three of Gerrard-Lucas-Alonso is (IMO) too immobile to be consistently effective in the Premier League.
That notwithstanding, it still would've been amazing to see Xabi in the red shirt again...
Jaimie Kanwar
NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)
By the way, we will finish above manu this year...
ReplyDeleteI am not sure I agree with your comments regarding mobility. Gerrard, Xabi, and Mascherano were the most powerful midfield in the PL, and Lucas is not any less mobile than Mascherano was, IMO.
ReplyDeleteA bit of a shame he's not coming back, but it probably wouldn't have been a forward step for us if he returned. On a brighter note, other than a couple of wayward passes, Gerrard was fantastic again last night. He seemed like his old self, and was given a licence to get forward, which is what a lot of us want to seem from him in a red shirt.I hope BR was watching and will recognise he is far more useful to us further up the pitch.
ReplyDeleteyou're kidding right? Lucas doesn't have anywhere near the pace Mascherano had. Lucas is a decent player, but Masherano (IMO)was one of the very best in the defensive midfield role :-)
ReplyDeleteand above everton as well..............!!!
ReplyDelete.....needed to be mentioned, bcuz everton will also finish above manu this year...!!!
and Arsenal, Spurs, City and Chelsea ;-)
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't be drawn into making any conclusions yet, just wait and see what happens
ReplyDeleteIn the end Southampton wins the title...:)
ReplyDeleteHa - i thought of adding them in :-)
ReplyDeleteYea I wasn't really holding my breath for him.
ReplyDeleteBut...we do need another midfielder to add competition to Lucas and Gerrard.
I am interested in seeing a midfield two composed of Hendo and Allen.
come on alonso is old now , we dont need oaps
ReplyDeleteplus he left us when we needed him , why should we get him whhen we dont need him
he is a traitor like torres ,mascherano,owen,meireles,mcmannaman and arbeloa
traitor. suareziho. I rest my case...
ReplyDeleteAlonso is a CLUB LEGEND not a traitor. He was brilliant for us for 5 years, and went back to his home country to play for real madrid having been dicked around by Rafa the season before (Barrygate). I don't think you'll find many who blame him for that...
ReplyDeleteWe might need to make one or two astute signings in January (no more centre backs or squad fillers please!), but yeah why not...
ReplyDeleteinteresting avelanche to my post... but seriously, cl is a given this season, and with all the big clubs having Europe and/or transitional problems- we could chalenge for the title
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure that we need him here at this point in his career...
ReplyDeleteBut my question is to the source of the quote:
Why are we to simply believe that this is 100% accurate? Is there something that makes this particular paper more reputable than others?
I'm merely asking because I'm not nearly familiar in any way with the spanish papers.
Yeah, I remember it was a done deal for Lampard to go to the MLS last summer....
ReplyDeleteHe left us because Rafa told him he could go if we got Barry.
ReplyDeleteAnd how the hell is Arbeloa on that list? Or Meireles?
A season is a long time in football.
ReplyDeleteLet's wait and see, and hope.
If Flamini can look revitalised with a switch back to England, why can't Xabi?
i already made the a previous comment that Xabii was not going to return to Liverpool. Anyone who actually believed that FSG would sign off on the idea to bring back Xabi Alonso i have news for you are too gullible and i can sell you a bridge in London. Anyone who knows FSG well will know that they run a tight ship and do not make decisions based on sentiment alone. They did that once when they appointed Daglish as manager and quickly sacked him after one season. The Scotsman's CV was always impressive but he just wasn't what Liverpool was looking for the long term. In the same token Alonso's CV is equally impressive, but I don't think the club really wants to bring in a player who is 32 who will demand very high wages. It is just not how the club's upper management like to do business. Since Alonso would not be seen as a long-term project for FSG it was realistic that they would pass on the opportunity to bring him back to Anfield. John Henry wants to buy young players who he can get a lot from and sell for a profit. Alonso is a fan favorite and would probably do a lot to elevate the level of play but his not a long term solution which is why this speculation was dead in the water right off the bat. Jesus has a better chance of coming back to Earth than Alonso has of coming back to Anfield.
ReplyDeleteJesus could be back at Anfield in January, if he continues the great form he is showing on loan at Almeria.
ReplyDeleteEvery fans would like to see Xabi ending his carrear at Liverpool
ReplyDeletethat's why he getting booked all the time hes off the pace
ReplyDeletewhat about tommy smith the ba""ard fu"ked off to swansea
ReplyDeletegreat headline- Jesus returns to Anfield.
ReplyDeleteMignolet
ReplyDeleteEnrique/Sissokho, Agger/Toure, Skrtel/Sakho, Johnson,
Henderson, Gerrard Coutinho
, Moses, Suarez Sturridge.
With Allen, Ibe and Aspas. That starting 11, with those subs if healthy can score 3,5 per match throughout the whole season. And conceede not more than 1,5 per match. Even City can eat our dust, we just need the courage to play that formation...
Yep, Suso's name is Jesus, always made me worry how he'd cope with crosses.
ReplyDeleteha ha i was talking about a different Jesus actually. You know the one that turned all that water into wine and walked on water. I personally want Alonso back but the people who run our club would never go for that.
ReplyDeleteFor the record any Jesus playing good football anywhere provided they are not over 30 is always welcome at Anfield.
Did you watch last nights game Jamie?
ReplyDeleteStarted both games? Did you watch the game? Smalling started the last game, but yes Johnson is better.
ReplyDelete"Xabi was our midfield maestro,
ReplyDeleteand his passing was so delightful,
everybody wanted to know,
Al-on-so, Al-on-so, Al-on-so!"
Walker is better!
ReplyDeleteLooks decent. Our season is dependent on SAS staying fit, so we could probably do with another striker, unless Aspas finds his mojo.
ReplyDeleteWith Alonso's injury, we have seen how long it takes players to get back to their best after serious injury etc, time is not on his side, I reckon the USA is the best place for him.
ReplyDeleteJohnson is convinced that he's better than any winger and he doesn't give them room to play. Walker interacts better with the winger but loses defensive focus too often. Walker is young so he will learn. Johnson?
ReplyDeleteI would welcome him back anyday but wherever he decides to go I wish him nothing but the best. He even decided to bring his son up as a Red. YNWA Xabi Alonso.
ReplyDeleteWoah there buddy!
ReplyDeleteI don't think we'll finish top 4. I hope to God (Fowler) that I'm wrong, but I think that the teams that get top 4 are either in possession of notably stronger squads than those around them (like Chelsea and City last season) or are the team that does best in the second half of the season (Arsenal the last few seasons).
Tottenham will gel and perform much better in the second half of the season, Arsenal will strengthen again in January, I think (and can still look forward to Wilshere, Arteta and Podolski getting properly fit). United will definitely strengthen in January. Chelsea will shore up.
With our squad, 2 injuries in the wrong places throws us into a crisis which the other teams wouldn't suffer.
Love Xabi but as a midfielder he has 2-3 yrs and would not be worth the cost....don't mean to be heartless, especially with Alonso who broke my heart when he left...........................
ReplyDeleteGood for him if he goes to the States. It's an experience, great for his kids and the cash ain't bad either. I can understand why players go to these leagues for a final payday. (not that Alonso hasn't earned a lot already)
ReplyDeleteWhat a load of rubbish
ReplyDeleteI'll disagree with a large portion of fans and say that I don't think he would improve us that much. His best season came when we had Mascherano cleaning up behind him and Gerrard smashing forward in front of him. At that time they were both very very good players, Gerrard was at his absolute peak. Alonso was and still is a very good player but I'd be concerned about the time he needs on the ball to make those wonderful passes. He just wouldn't get it, instead he'd be constantly hassled by opposition midfielders who would have no hesitation in getting physical and taking away his options. Alonso's style was never one of quick passing and movement and I don't see how he'd survive both in terms of the pace of the league these days and the kind of football we need to play. Liverpool's biggest problem right now is teams pressing high and hard against us when we're in possession. When Alonso had his worst year at Liverpool that is precisely what he struggled with and the team struggled because of it. He might be better able to deal with it these days but it's not his strength and for that reason I don't believe that he'd make us better in that regard. His best qualities wouldn't get a chance to shine and he'd be wasted.
ReplyDeleteseriously? We're only a few games in and already your getting carried away. To say city can eat your dust...pmsl. Are you spurs fans in disguise?
ReplyDeleteSad but True!!!
ReplyDeleteAlonso doesn't need time on the ball, what are you getting at? His first time passes are still better than any LFC player you can mention, and he ran the RM midfield until his recent injury.
ReplyDeleteIf you are saying he can't contribute for very long then fair enough, but I challenge you to name a better player in tight situations than Xabi
Not me. The bloke's a fucking dickhead.
ReplyDeleteTrue but Sad???
ReplyDeletewhat does pmsl mean? Those players in that formation without injuries can win more points than city with Europe, pressure and new manager. I am not saying it will happen, I am saying, and hoping, that it might.
ReplyDeleteAnd we will finish above manu..
Just a quick vid to show how Xabi deals with pressing players. Check out how many end up getting red cards afte desperately trying to get to the ball in vain.... especially at 3:46
ReplyDeletehttp://youtu.be/e-oovLePKWU?t=1m18s
Yes, two injuries can hurt us badly, but there is january for us too, right? And we can cope without Suarez, we can cope without Johnson, and without Coutinho. On our top players list those 3 are among 5-6 of the best, and still we are top of the league. It is early but I am not basing my opinion on how many points we took but on how, against whom, and without whom we took it. Just imagine Suarez Stturidge and Coutinho and tell me do you need more assists and goals per game...
ReplyDeleteI think the fixture list has been kind to us. Of the 7 teams we've faced, only one is in the top 8 currently- and they beat us.
ReplyDeleteI don't see us doing anything significant in January. Could be wrong, but I can't see it.
OK, so we can put together a clip of moments showing him doing well. Where is the clip of moments showing where he loses the ball? It does happen, you can't tell me it doesn't. I'm not saying at all that he's particularly bad in those positions, I actually tried to copy his turn and drag move playing 5-a-side because it seemed effective, but he's not any better than the players we've got, it's not one of his strengths.
ReplyDeleteAlonso generally gets time on the ball. He plays very deep, often falling behind the CBs. In those positions he does get space and time, that's just the nature of it. That means he takes that time, allows himself a few touches and delivers a good pass. He's very good at that and he'd be just as good at Liverpool however I would suggest that our style of play and the pace of the PL means he would get less of that time and space. We don't play football that is suited to his best qualities and for that reason he wouldn't be quite as effective. We try for a lot of one touch football with shorter passes. He could do that too but it's not what he's best at. That's the reason he plays for Real and not Barca. So I just don't think he'd be particularly brilliant for Liverpool. He's spent quite a few years playing in a more technical, slower paced league and he's 31. He's just not the kind of DM we need.
it is only eleven games and we are.. Well, you know where are we now.. Key words- Champions League, new managers
ReplyDeletePlus,it is a brand new Liverpool out there..
What does pmsl means?
ReplyDeleteJust imagine Suarez Stturidge and Coutinho and tell me do you need more assists and goals per game...
ReplyDelete