Rumour Mill NEWS

Alonso Staying At Anfield?

Published by JMitchell on August 7, 2008

The thigh injury Steven Gerrard picked up in Liverpool’s 4-1 win over Valerenga is almost certain to persuade manager Rafael Benitez to keep Spaniard Xabi Alonso at Anfield this summer.

The skippers injury has scuppered any chance of Alonso leaving merseyside because of the possible departures of Mascherano and Lucas to the Olympic games this week.

This could leave Liverpool left short handed of centre midfielders with just Alonso and Plessis available for Liverpool’s friendly on Friday against Lazio and next weeks Champions League qualifier against Standard Liege.

Manager Rafael Benitez told Liverpool’s offish site yesterday that Steven Gerrard will be out for about a week and the slow arrival of Aston Villa’s Gareth Barry has left Liverpool empty handed in midfield which will more or less keep Alonso at Anfield.

If the Spanish midfielder was to move away he would want a switch to another team playing in this years Champions League and any involvement in next weeks qualifier against Standard Liege would not allow him to play for another team in the same competition and would severly lower the £16m asking price.

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