[Ginger Nut]

Perhaps with Babel he should start up front with Torres against Burnley. Give him another chance to show he can do it.

Otherwise, with the news that Aurelio could be ready for that game what price he replaces Lucas in the middle? Didn't he play there quite a lot for Rafa at Valencia?

• Admin Edit: This thread is a continuation of Liverpool Supporters Thread

[ChristmasCake]

Aurelio could feature in the middle, he's done it for Liverpool before Mascherano joined..

Ah, we've got a part 2 now.

According to the Telegraph Babel wants to move back to Ajax in the January Transfer Window... Link Here

My question is, why didn't he say this a few weeks ago and we might have been able to get a decent replacement in for him.

[ChristmasCake]

Apparently he only wants a loan move, and was told this would not happen in the summer..

[kobashi100]

Originally Posted by Les Willis

Ah, we've got a part 2 now.

According to the Telegraph Babel wants to move back to Ajax in the January Transfer Window... Link Here

My question is, why didn't he say this a few weeks ago and we might have been able to get a decent replacement in for him.

remember he wanted to go to ajax on loan last january but rafa said no. Also he mentions that he was told things in the summer but it has not happened. Sounds to me that he thought he would be getting more games and now he has been dropped after the 1st game he is very unhappy.

[Assa2]

Part 2 - woo hoo! Just 9 more to catch those Utd bods! It's just like the race to title 19!

Or not really.

[Super Dog Man]

Having watched and read the Alonso interview, I hate to say this, but I have lost respect for him.

He has basicaly admitted that after 2 bad seasons Rafa wanted to cash in, so he decided to leave, which is fair enough. So then he plays his best football in 5 years at Anfield.

Why could he not play like that for his Anfield stay??

Does it take a manager saying, ok we need a change and your on your way to make a player play to his full potential??

Liverpool FC are bigger than Xabi Alonso. Thanks for the memories Xabi but we will still be around long after you have finished your playing career.

Also with regards to Babel. You had your chance at Liverpool and have blew it. Go back to Holland whenever you want. You wont be missed.

[mel1213]

TBF to Xabi, he may have made his mind up to leave, but he still played to his best - maybe in the hope that Rafa would pull him aside and actually tell him that he wanted him to stay after basically telling him "I want Barry so I'm selling you". Also when you're told you're surplus to requirements you can go one of two ways - play badly to prove to the club why you are being sold or play well to show why they are wrong to want to get rid of you.

It's like I said earlier in the summer, Xabi didn't seem to leave because he had a burning desire to go, he left because there was nothing to make him stay. He'd decided that if the club didn't want him then he would go and even after his amazing season - when it would seem that Rafa knew he was willing to leave this summer - Rafa still didn't tell him that he wanted him to stay ... I mean that thing in preseason where he basically admitted that he spoke to Xabi and told him the players and fans want you to stay, but didn't once say "I want you to stay".

Also, I found an interview from jst after Xabi signed for Real where he basically said that he and Rafa spoke a few times - last season and pre-season about his desire to leave (and if he did he wanted to go back to Spain) and Rafa still didn't seem to find a reason to ask him to stay:

When and how did you tell Liverpool that you wanted to leave?
I spoke to Rafa on several occasions last season, during the preseason and this summer. We knew there was a possibility so I immediately expressed my desire to return to Spanish football. In fact, when the season ended I spent several days training in Liverpool and I sat down with Rafa for two hours.

[Picto]

Originally Posted by mel1213

TBF to Xabi, he may have made his mind up to leave, but he still played to his best - maybe in the hope that Rafa would pull him aside and actually tell him that he wanted him to stay after basically telling him "I want Barry so I'm selling you". Also when you're told you're surplus to requirements you can go one of two ways - play badly to prove to the club why you are being sold or play well to show why they are wrong to want to get rid of you.

It's like I said earlier in the summer, Xabi didn't seem to leave because he had a burning desire to go, he left because there was nothing to make him stay. He'd decided that if the club didn't want him then he would go and even after his amazing season - when it would seem that Rafa knew he was willing to leave this summer - Rafa still didn't tell him that he wanted him to stay ... I mean that thing in preseason where he basically admitted that he spoke to Xabi and told him the players and fans want you to stay, but didn't once say "I want you to stay".

Also, I found an interview from jst after Xabi signed for Real where he basically said that he and Rafa spoke a few times - last season and pre-season about his desire to leave (and if he did he wanted to go back to Spain) and Rafa still didn't seem to find a reason to ask him to stay:

When and how did you tell Liverpool that you wanted to leave?
I spoke to Rafa on several occasions last season, during the preseason and this summer. We knew there was a possibility so I immediately expressed my desire to return to Spanish football. In fact, when the season ended I spent several days training in Liverpool and I sat down with Rafa for two hours.

I disagree.

The fans adored Xabi, you even say so yourself further on. Is fan adoration enough to make someone stay at a club though? Obviously not on this occasion.

Xabi got regular first team football, a good wage and respect from fans and players alike. No doubt there was a bit of friction between Xabi and Rafa but i believe Xabi just needed a new challenge.

The two seasons prior to last, Xabi put in many distinctly ordinary performances. Last year he raised his game somewhat and in the process doubled his value.

I'd just like to wish Xabi luck then concentrate on supporting my team.

[mel1213]

Originally Posted by Picto

I disagree.

The fans adored Xabi, you even say so yourself further on. Is fan adoration enough to make someone stay at a club though? Obviously not on this occasion.

Xabi got regular first team football, a good wage and respect from fans and players alike. No doubt there was a bit of friction between Xabi and Rafa but i believe Xabi just needed a new challenge.

The two seasons prior to last, Xabi put in many distinctly ordinary performances. Last year he raised his game somewhat and in the process doubled his value.

I'd just like to wish Xabi luck then concentrate on supporting my team.

If the fans and players support was backed up by managerial support then yes it should be enough, but the fact that the fans wanted him to stay didn't negate the fact that he didn't seem to have the support from Rafa ... and if you know that your boss was willing to get rid of you for someone else then that is going to affect your decision making when it comes to staying, especially with Rafa refusing to come out and say "I want him to stay"

Rafa has a very distant form of man-management anyway so the fact that they were (according to Xabi) "cordial" to each other but nothing more shows that there really wasn't any sort of relationship there, so it's not surprising he didn't feel like he wanted to stay - especially if he had already made his mind up (although that's not a new revelation, ever since Jon was born there was interviews and articles saying how homesick he was and how he wanted to raise his family in Spain)

[GoodMikey]

Xabi also wanted to go home to Spain, had I played for Real Madrid and the manager was iffy with me and then Liverpool FC came in with an offer that Real Madrid accepted I'd be on the plane in a flash.

[scorer]

Originally Posted by ChristmasCake

Aurelio could feature in the middle, he's done it for Liverpool before Mascherano joined..

He also gave a MOTM performance when playing in the middle in Rafas successful 3-4-3 experiment in the 3-2 at Porstmouth last season.

Daniel Agger (when fit) could also do a better job than Lucas in midfield and has the shot to match.

[Ginger Nut]

Originally Posted by scorer

He also gave a MOTM performance when playing in the middle in Rafas successful 3-4-3 experiment in the 3-2 at Porstmouth last season.

Daniel Agger (when fit) could also do a better job than Lucas in midfield and has the shot to match.

That's right he did. Although as I recall that was during our ropey for an hour, blinding for 30 minutes at the end to sneak it form.

[Dangerman]

Originally Posted by Les Willis

Ah, we've got a part 2 now.

According to the Telegraph Babel wants to move back to Ajax in the January Transfer Window... Link Here

My question is, why didn't he say this a few weeks ago and we might have been able to get a decent replacement in for him.

If he keeps this up he might get his move back to Ajax , problem is he might also find himself out of the Dutch squad anyway. They have quite a history of 'imploding' just before major championships because of player's egos getting in the way - the last thing Babel should be doing is shooting his mouth off , especially when his shooting with his feet hasn't been up to scratch !!!

[Super Dog Man]

Originally Posted by mel1213

TBF to Xabi, he may have made his mind up to leave, but he still played to his best - maybe in the hope that Rafa would pull him aside and actually tell him that he wanted him to stay after basically telling him "I want Barry so I'm selling you". Also when you're told you're surplus to requirements you can go one of two ways - play badly to prove to the club why you are being sold or play well to show why they are wrong to want to get rid of you.

It's like I said earlier in the summer, Xabi didn't seem to leave because he had a burning desire to go, he left because there was nothing to make him stay. He'd decided that if the club didn't want him then he would go and even after his amazing season - when it would seem that Rafa knew he was willing to leave this summer - Rafa still didn't tell him that he wanted him to stay ... I mean that thing in preseason where he basically admitted that he spoke to Xabi and told him the players and fans want you to stay, but didn't once say "I want you to stay".

Also, I found an interview from jst after Xabi signed for Real where he basically said that he and Rafa spoke a few times - last season and pre-season about his desire to leave (and if he did he wanted to go back to Spain) and Rafa still didn't seem to find a reason to ask him to stay:

When and how did you tell Liverpool that you wanted to leave?
I spoke to Rafa on several occasions last season, during the preseason and this summer. We knew there was a possibility so I immediately expressed my desire to return to Spanish football. In fact, when the season ended I spent several days training in Liverpool and I sat down with Rafa for two hours.

Rafa did say he wanted Alonso to stay, more than once.

Why would they talk for two hours if Rafa didnt want him to stay.

Would be a quick talk if both agreed.

Xabi "Rafa, I want to go back to Spain"
Rafa "Ok, lets wait until the sell on clause has ended".

Would not take long.

[Cantona07]

Originally Posted by Super Dog Man

Rafa did say he wanted Alonso to stay, more than once.

Why would they talk for two hours if Rafa didnt want him to stay.

Would be a quick talk if both agreed.

Xabi "Rafa, I want to go back to Spain"
Rafa "Ok, lets wait until the sell on clause has ended".

Would not take long.

If you caught your wife in bed with another man the day before you won the lottery then the day after that she told you she loved you would you believe her?????!

Rafa would have punted the boy for a fraction of the transfer fee a year ago cos he didnt want him. Then he turns round after Alonso has an awesome season and says "I want you to stay". How hollow does that sound?

I believe he was genuine when he said he loved the club and the fans but no-one knows more than him the difference a season can make so cant really blame him for not taking the chance on Rafa and going to Real.

[mel1213]

Originally Posted by Super Dog Man

Rafa did say he wanted Alonso to stay, more than once.

Why would they talk for two hours if Rafa didnt want him to stay.

Would be a quick talk if both agreed.

Xabi "Rafa, I want to go back to Spain"
Rafa "Ok, lets wait until the sell on clause has ended".

Would not take long.

This summer I've only ever seen direct quotes from Rafa where he has admitted talking to Xabi - especially in Singapore - but he said something like "The players want you to stay, the fans want you to stay, so maybe you should stay" ... nowhere in that did he say "I want you to stay". He has said countless times that the club or the players or the fans wanted Xabi to stay but very rarely - if ever - did I read or hear anything where Rafa has said he wanted Xabi to stay.

They may have spoken for two hours but from some of the things Xabi has said Rafa wasn't desperate to keep him because he didn't want to lose him, it was more because he wanted to get the most out of Real Madrid - this was one of the first negotiations that was carried out by Rafa alone and as a Real old boy he knows how the place works and he knew the kind of deal they would want and he stonewalled them - but we'll never know what went on so there's no point speculating.

Did Alonso shag his wife or something?

[kobashi100]

www.skysports.com

Dirk Kuyt believes Ryan Babel is happy at Liverpool and is backing him to become a first-team regular.

The Dutch winger was quoted on Wednesday as being open to the prospect of securing a loan switch to former club Ajax during the January transfer window.

The 22-year-old is said to have grown disillusioned at a lack of opportunities at Anfield, with his World Cup aspirations weighing heavy on his mind.

Babel was awarded a starting berth by Rafa Benitez for Liverpool's opening game of the 2009/10 campaign at Tottenham, but has fallen down the pecking order since then.

Fellow Reds forward Kuyt understands his countryman's frustration, but he believes his international team-mate is prepared to fight for a place on Merseyside.

"He loves to play games for Liverpool and he will do everything in his power to come back," Kuyt told Sky Sports News.

"He is happy at Liverpool but every player wants to play and that is his only concern, before the World Cup, that he has to play games.

"I'm sure that he wants to play for Liverpool and that he wants to play in games as soon as possible.

"We have a big squad, with many players who can play in his position, so he has to work hard and I believe he is doing that at Liverpool and with the Dutch team."

[upintheskylfc]

if alonso returns to anfield with madrid (hopefully with liverpool) i hope the fans give him a good reception

no hard feelings Xabi

[Assa2]

Very irrelevent but listening to Radio 1 right now with Robbie Williams on... he's just said his girlfriend (who's American I think) is very into football, likes Man U but also likes Liverpool. I would have thought Robbie would have put her right about that, but he's just admitted liking both as well. As a major shareholder of lower league team I'm surprised he'd admit that.

[Picto]

Probably to be expected but Liverpool have confirmed that the new stadium delays are to continue.

http://www.thisisanfield.com/2009/09...s-to-continue/

The whole stadium saga disappoints me greatly. It was one of the owners fundamental promises to build a new stadium when they took over the club. I understand that circumstances beyond their control may have contributed to these delays but it's still frustrating.

Changing subject. Is anybody else worried about the action taken against Chelsea and the alleged investigation of Man Utd regarding poaching / incitement of players. Liverpool have bought loads of young players over the last few years. I hope it was all done above board. I suppose if we do get a transfer ban it won't affect us much because we don't have any money to spend anyway.

[Assa2]

Originally Posted by Picto

Probably to be expected but Liverpool have confirmed that the new stadium delays are to continue.

http://www.thisisanfield.com/2009/09...s-to-continue/

The whole stadium saga disappoints me greatly. It was one of the owners fundamental promises to build a new stadium when they took over the club. I understand that circumstances beyond their control may have contributed to these delays but it's still frustrating.

I was thinking about this in terms of the FA's WC bid. I really cannot see the likelyhood that we'll have a new stadium ready by 2018 under the current owners. Everton's new stadium also seems to have stalled somewhat, so the possibility exists that Liverpool could miss out as a host city. Either that or Anfield would need significant investment to meet current FIFA requirements. Not sure what the viability is of extending or rebuilding parts of the ground but it would seem pointless if we are eventually going to move anyway. Worst case would be that Everton get their new ground built and they host WC games!

Originally Posted by Picto

Changing subject. Is anybody else worried about the action taken against Chelsea and the alleged investigation of Man Utd regarding poaching / incitement of players. Liverpool have bought loads of young players over the last few years. I hope it was all done above board. I suppose if we do get a transfer ban it won't affect us much because we don't have any money to spend anyway.

I don't know much about our dealings in this area but I have the feeling we may be a touch more gentlemanly than certain other clubs. That's an entirely biased view, though.

[nando-torres]

If anyone watched the England match, was anyone else wondering why Glen Johnson got panned by the pundits for the goal when it was that muppet Lescott who committed a cardinal sin on the near post?

If a guy is going to take you on, there are a percentage of times you get beat. Where was Lescott while the goalscorer was jockeying for position?

Ballwatching.

Not switched on and not good enough.

</rant>

[Cantona07]

Very typical of Lescott but its not a popular view.

He isnt a great defender.