With the January transfer window now underway, Liverpool fans are waiting with bated-breath to see who Brendan Rodgers brings to the club, and with injuries piling up, there are several areas of the team that need urgent strengthening. Central midfield is, perhaps, not one of the more pressing priorities, but it appears that the Reds are still interested in tying up a dream-deal to bring Xabi Alonso back to Anfield.
Alonso - who cost Real Madrid €30m in 2009 - has been regularly linked with a return to Liverpool, and in April 2013, the Spaniard admitted last year that he 'misses' Anfield, and hinted that a Liverpool move in the future 'could be a possibility'.
According to reports today, Alonso has been 'offered' to Man City and Man Utd, but Liverpool could still 'explore the possibility' bringing the fan-favourite back to Anfield.
This seems to conflict with all the available evidence about Alonso's future. In October 2013, Spanish journalist Pipi Estrada claimed that Alonso would not return to Liverpool. Speaking on sports show Punto Pelota, he explained:
"Xabi will not go to the Premier League - his future is in the U.S. 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 last 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 in one of his press conferences last summer:
"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"
Reds legends Dietmar Hamann and Jamie Carragher also pine for Alonso's return. Last year, Hamann tweeted:
"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"
During Euro 2012, Carra told ITV Sport:
"It just sickens me to see Alonso in the red of Spain and not the red of Liverpool. We'd love to have him back - he was a fantastic player at our club."
Liverpool fans have a tendency to romanticise €15m-rated Alonso's possible return without considering the reality. The Spaniard is a bona-fide world class midfielder with peerless experience, but I'd hate to see him return to Anfield and spend most of his time on the bench (due to squad rotation/preference for younger players etc).
The unfortunate truth is that a midfield three of Gerrard, Alonso and Lucas lacks pace and mobility, and with Rodgers' preference for constant pressing in midfield, that trio would probably struggle to dominate. There's already evidence of that this season, with Gerrard struggling to maintain the high-intensity pressing Rodgers requires, which leads to the Reds' midfield being overrun.
Having said that, if ever there was a player who would fit into Rodgers' football philosophy, it's Alonso. With his football intelligence and genius passing range, he'd fit right in, but he'll be 33 this year, and it seems unlikely that FSG will sign-off on a transfer fee for a player of Alonso's age. Henry et al will certainly not sanction a cash deal during the January transfer window when Alonso will be available for free next summer.
Not that it should make any difference. Andrea Pirlo joined Juventus at the age of 32 and totally transformed the team, and Alonso is certainly capable of having a similar impact at Liverpool. Signing Alonso is akin to signing players of the calibre of Andrea Pirlo and Xavi, and chances like that don't come around too often.
Alonso would bring immense class and quality to the Liverpool team, and the club's young players would learn so much from him, but I personally believe the ship has sailed on this particular transfer.
Author: Jaimie K
Alonso - who cost Real Madrid €30m in 2009 - has been regularly linked with a return to Liverpool, and in April 2013, the Spaniard admitted last year that he 'misses' Anfield, and hinted that a Liverpool move in the future 'could be a possibility'.
According to reports today, Alonso has been 'offered' to Man City and Man Utd, but Liverpool could still 'explore the possibility' bringing the fan-favourite back to Anfield.
This seems to conflict with all the available evidence about Alonso's future. In October 2013, Spanish journalist Pipi Estrada claimed that Alonso would not return to Liverpool. Speaking on sports show Punto Pelota, he explained:
"Xabi will not go to the Premier League - his future is in the U.S. 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 last 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 in one of his press conferences last summer:
"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"
Reds legends Dietmar Hamann and Jamie Carragher also pine for Alonso's return. Last year, Hamann tweeted:
"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"
During Euro 2012, Carra told ITV Sport:
"It just sickens me to see Alonso in the red of Spain and not the red of Liverpool. We'd love to have him back - he was a fantastic player at our club."
Liverpool fans have a tendency to romanticise €15m-rated Alonso's possible return without considering the reality. The Spaniard is a bona-fide world class midfielder with peerless experience, but I'd hate to see him return to Anfield and spend most of his time on the bench (due to squad rotation/preference for younger players etc).
The unfortunate truth is that a midfield three of Gerrard, Alonso and Lucas lacks pace and mobility, and with Rodgers' preference for constant pressing in midfield, that trio would probably struggle to dominate. There's already evidence of that this season, with Gerrard struggling to maintain the high-intensity pressing Rodgers requires, which leads to the Reds' midfield being overrun.
Having said that, if ever there was a player who would fit into Rodgers' football philosophy, it's Alonso. With his football intelligence and genius passing range, he'd fit right in, but he'll be 33 this year, and it seems unlikely that FSG will sign-off on a transfer fee for a player of Alonso's age. Henry et al will certainly not sanction a cash deal during the January transfer window when Alonso will be available for free next summer.
Not that it should make any difference. Andrea Pirlo joined Juventus at the age of 32 and totally transformed the team, and Alonso is certainly capable of having a similar impact at Liverpool. Signing Alonso is akin to signing players of the calibre of Andrea Pirlo and Xavi, and chances like that don't come around too often.
Alonso would bring immense class and quality to the Liverpool team, and the club's young players would learn so much from him, but I personally believe the ship has sailed on this particular transfer.
Author: Jaimie K
I agree that we need a more dynamic midfielder with pace, Alonso does not have that, maybe on a free in the summer but I wouldn't pay a fee at that age................great player for Liverpool but how long ago was that???.
ReplyDeleteWe need left and right wing backs .
ReplyDeleteWe need future Gerrard replacement . Maybe (Pastore)
we need striker cause Suarez and Sturridge are making us higher then what we should be.
We are Carrying Moses Allen Aspas They can polish Alonso Boots cause he would be better then them even at his age.
Also any player we are linked to clubs will put extra Zeros
Alonso is class but he has been injured a lot recently, please remember he is not the Xabi we knew!!!.
ReplyDeleteOffered to Man u! Ooh that would hurt.
ReplyDeleteI'd take him for the right money. Dont worry about him Gerrard and Lucas in the same team. Just drop Lucas. Play Xabi deep with new DM next to him. And stop running Stevie in to the ground give him the last half hour or the first hour and if we're in front take him off for a massage.
I'm sure Alonso went for more than 30million euro's
ReplyDeleteTotally agree everyone wants to know also what moses Brings and Rodgers Push to put him on second half of game not to Challenge ball walk around like a pre-Madonna whats his worth ???? We bought Allen 15m aspas 9m borini 12m that's 36m Costa worth 32 are we not looking for proven players
ReplyDeleteLFC's official club accounts confirm that Alonso went for around that amount €30m:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.liverpool-kop.com/2012/04/lfc-transfer-fees-top-10-myths.html
To be fair they were brought in to thicken the squad, now is the time for 1st team additions. Players who can take us forward longterm with pace and power in midfield...............If Alonso comes I would not be unhappy as long as the needs of the team are tended to first!!!
ReplyDeletePatience!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhen you pay £36 million you expect results.It shows a lack of personal development or else coaching needs to be a little more ruthless.
ReplyDeleteThe latter I suggest!!!
ReplyDeleteAlonso would NEVER go to man utd. It'd be like trying to make a pig fly, it won't happen.
ReplyDeleteWe also need to take advantage of Man utd's apparent inactivity in January, and bid for Mata. Rumours were circulating about him and Utd, but Moyes stated they won't sign anyone. You'd think he would though?
ReplyDeleteI understand they don't want to rush purchases and etc, but if they don't make the top 4 (and God willing they don't), it's going to be a lot harder for them to land their targets in the next window.
You're on the ball.Isn't it amazing the threat of the Fulham loan has done for Hendo's game.
ReplyDeleteIf i am Alonso i will choose Seria A....bcoz with his age and fitness level, i think italy will be more comfortable for him. I guess he will be find his glory day again with the style/standard there !
ReplyDeletehttp://firstrownow.eu
ReplyDeleteI personally think Xabi and stevie could seriously prolong each other's careers if we got Alonso this summer. Lucas would not be the choice to put alongside them, more likely Hendo, and who better to develop someone like Will Hughes than SG and
ReplyDeleteXA ?
Gary Mac transformed our midfield, Xabi could do likewise. We'd hardly ever lose the ball at the back as Alonso would always be there to give the backs an easy ball. Suarez would KDL55W905A someone who could match his runs, even Stevie isn't as good. They could rotate for the games where we needed more pressing, we would get three more years out of each like that
Exactly!!!
ReplyDeletethis is the site I use it has all the games from all over europe. Liverpool Oldham is listed here........http://www.nutjob.eu/
ReplyDeletei'd love to see him back at the club, he's as fine a midfelder as we've ever had at Liverpool and like Mascherano, he is a player we never really replaced. I agree with what you say; given his style of play there's no reason why he couldn't again have a very positive impact. His passing range is superb, he has exquisite poise and balance, he is quite simply top class and aging hasn't affected that. Having said that, and a popular though he may be, I do think we should be looking forward rather than back as our needs have changed. Above all else our midfield needs more power and movement, and that's where our transfer targets should be focused.
ReplyDeletewhen did Alonso ever have pace???
ReplyDeleteIs it bad that I think I'd prefer Alonso in the team rather than Gerrard?
ReplyDeleteOr, they are the wrong players to start with
ReplyDeleteThis is not a fairy tale!!!
ReplyDeletehow many times have you repeated this same story ???????? boringggggg
ReplyDeleteTake him now or don't take him at all...
ReplyDeleteEnough! No more about Xabi please!!
ReplyDeleteThe club is rebuilding they will go with youth and myself i would rather remember the Xabi of old than seeing the older lesser more injury prone model.
ReplyDeleteIsn't that what we said about Owen?
ReplyDeleteSign him. He still has much to offer. He is best of BR's tactics of possession football. Gerrard once said, when Xabi is at his best, nobody can win the ball from him. Yes, he can't play the high intensity of pressing, but there is no need for that, if you keep great possession like he does. Furthermore, the pressing work can be accomplished with the likes of Hendo and Allen. The comparison with Pirlo is correct, Xabi is as important to La Roja, as to Pirlo to the Italians, and yes definitely he can key differentiation for our team. There are many times this season when we need to gain control of the midfield, instead of just attacking blindly, e.g. Everton game when we were leading 2-1, and we have no calm heads to do that. Not even our captain fantastic. Xabi is our quarterback and also our pacemaker our engine of the team. I would even go as far as if we sign him, our chance of winning the title this season is at least 80%. Yes I'm that confident.
ReplyDeleteNot only that, like you mention Kanwar, his experience and influence can rub on the younger players, and they will learn much from this legend. And if all goes well, when he hangs up his boot, I would like to see him join the coaching team. I sincerely wish BR will bring back the boot room culture, where future managers are promoted from within. Both him and Gerrard can be a great successor for BR.
But did Owen ever attend Liverpool games after he left?
ReplyDeleteI agree with most of that, apart from the 80% part. I remember listening to fans saying Sami Hypia was past it and too slow, he left for pennies and we missed out on 2more great years and more importantly, he would have been great as a no 2 and probably our manager long term.
ReplyDeleteJust watching how he performs would elevate our midfielders to a type of game which nobody currently can demonstrate we could have had Sami working with our defenders, Xabi with midfielders and Robbie with the forwards if we had taken proper advantage of our resources.
Imagine that.
All of you who say Xabi is too o9ls/injury prone /past his best- looks like Ancelotti is offering Alonso a 2 year extension.
ReplyDeleteSo much for too old for LFC...
Spot on the need of having a defensive specialist coach. I have been preaching we need one in various articles that Jamie wrote. A great example is Arsenal who employed Steve Bould as their defensive coach.
ReplyDeleteOur defense has been erratic at best, and a former defender will do wonders to the team. Hyypia is a manager of Leverkusen, doubt he will come and be in a role less than of a manager. If he is interested, then it's good. If not, then I would propose Mark Wright or even Stephane Henchoz.
In particular Mark Wright, I have chance to speak to him personally when he came over for the Legends match recently, I asked what's wrong with our defenders, he told me they are too soft and are afraid of going for 50/50 balls. I also asked him if BR ever asked him to join the coaching team, he said no he has not been approached, but IF he is invited, he will join immediately. Top and nice bloke. Legend.
Those who feel so, does not know what their talking about. Even Xabi is playing at 50% of his level, his quality than any of our current midfielders.
ReplyDeleteXabi! Xabi! Xabi! :p
ReplyDeleteThen we might as well don't sign Toure. Do not underestimate the importance of having experience heads in the squad. Think beyond match day. Think about training, inspirational effects on the younger players etc. It makes lots of difference if the player is extremely influential and is a winner in nature. The going is tough, these younger players need these winners to be leaders be it on pitch or off.
ReplyDeleteWell we always take him as coach later on, bring back the boot room culture. We need that so that we can build on decades of domination like in 70s and 80s.
ReplyDeleteWell the likes of Gerrard Agger and Toure add the inspiration on and off the field the club must look to build for the future sure old heads help but you must draw the line somewhere.
ReplyDeleteThere is some young player out there they will look to fill the role for 10 years possibly i would be far happier with that idea.
Lol
ReplyDelete