The OFFICIAL Liverpool FC thread - Arne to Slot right in?

[corn02]

Liverpool FC's Xabi Alonso will have to ask for a move to Real Madrid

XABI ALONSO will have to go public in his bid to quit Liverpool as Rafael Benitez prepares to play hardball with Real Madrid over the midfielder's future.

Alonso has informed the Anfield manager of his desire to move to the Bernabeu, but significantly stopped short of submitting a formal transfer request.

Liverpool have previously warned Real off making a bid for the 27-year-old, who still has three years of his contract left to run.

But Alonso may be compelled to force the issue by handing in an official transfer request, although the Spanish midfielder is reluctant to do so and remains hopeful his future can be resolved without such measures.

Nevertheless, Real and Liverpool appear way off an agreement in their valuation of the Spain international.

Having already seen Real splash out exorbitant amounts on capturing Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka this summer, Liverpool refuse to be short-changed over a player who has been courted by the Bernabeu outfit for months.

Real do not want to spend more than £27million but Benitez is adamant the La Liga side cough up somewhere in the region of £35m.

Alonso is due to travel to Vienna on Sunday, along with the rest of Liverpool's Spanish contingent, to join up with the rest of the squad heading from the Austrian capital to the Far East for two matches against Thailand and Singapore.

But the Spaniard has set his sights on his future being sorted out before the weekend.

With Alonso heading for the exit, Benitez is ready to redouble his efforts to persuade Argentinian Javier Mascherano to stay at Anfield.

The Liverpool manager intimated towards the end of last season that the Argentina captain would be given a new contract this summer, and that is now a matter of urgency for Benitez with Barcelona having turned the player's head with talk of a move during the transfer window

This is starting to drag on now. Longer it goes on the less time we'll have to get a replacement in if he goes. Either tell Madrid to pay the going rate by a certain date or he's going nowhere. Didn't really think Xabi was going to leave especially as Liverpool have a real chance of a league title next season but it's looking more likely now.

Like Ronaldo, contenental players will always see Mdrid and Barca as the big too even if English teams are trouncing them.

Gutted obviously. Would take Cambiasso as a replacement though.

[charlie stubbs]

is cambiasso a realistic target corn?how much would it take to get him.  would fit in well with masch if came from playing together 4 argentina.  saying that be gutted if lose either alonso or masch. 

any word of a striker?  amazing when you lok at citys strikers and we basically have torres and vorinator as natural strikers.  kuyt and babel saw as more wide plaers by rafa

[full back]

any word of a striker?  amazing when you lok at citys strikers and we basically have torres and vorinator as natural strikers.  kuyt and babel saw as more wide plaers by rafa

Suprised that the scousers havent moved for a striker, but to be honest, what top quality player would move if they have to play second fiddle to Torres & Gerrard?

Count yourselves lucky, we have Berba to rely on

[Gabriel_Hurl]

Suprised that the scousers havent moved for a striker, but to be honest, what top quality player would move if they have to play second fiddle to Torres & Gerrard?

It's alright - the Voronator is back

[bingobus]

Don't forget Ngog   I'd have hoped for another striker to be signed but its very hard to get one that will (hopefully, with the two players fit all season) settle for the bench.

Benny can play in Gerard role if needed on a infrequent basis and Kuyt/Babel upfront for Torres...but only the once  

Elisha Scott on YNWA has said that it is probable that Alonso will move but that until he gets back on merseyside (next Monday) that there is a chance he could stay, albeit a small one as things stand.  

He also said Babel and Voronin will be staying.

[deiseach]

It's alright - the Voronator is back

Good to see images of such a quality player. Oh, and Voronin too.

[WhoAreYaWhoAreYa!]

had to laugh when i seen this. wee irish lads gettin ronaldo to sign their utd jerseys! 

http://www.sportsfile.com/id/366217/5000/

[EC Unique]

Suprised that the scousers havent moved for a striker, but to be honest, what top quality player would move if they have to play second fiddle to Torres & Gerrard?

It's alright - the Voronator is back

League is in the bag! The long wait is over

[corn02]

Vornonin was not as bad as people made out, something like 5 goals in 22 games with plenty as a sub?


Never going to be first-choice standard, but worth the odd squad outing.

Bingo i;m surprised your making smart comments about NGog, he showed plenty of promise last year.

Elisha Scott is a friend of SG osn;t he, I think it is game over for Xabi.

[DennistheMenace]

Vornonin is/was below average and would not look out of place playing for Wigan or Hull. Disrespect intended.

[Hound]

Voronin had a decent season in Germany, and there was a period mid season when he was supposed to be fantastic. However, it quietened up towards the end of the season. I suppose if he was that good, his German team or one of the other German teams would have bought him, though granted we've no idea whether any of them made a bid for him or not.

I think he did ok with Liverpool in his first stint. Played reasonably well when in the Gerrard or Torres position, but was unquestionably poor when played out wide.

Plenty of reports stating that if Alonso is sold before July 18, then Real Sociedad take a chunk of any transfer fee. Therefore nothing will move on this until the weekend at the earliest.

Just noticed on the LFC website that Dossena has lost his squad number. Looks like a cert to go so.

Agger isnt with the squad in Switzerland for some reason. Hope its nothing to worry about...

First pre-season game tonight. The LFC channel (now temporarily free for anyone with Sky - not sure about other platforms) are showing the full match from 9pm. Kick-off is 7pm and is live on the website for subscribers.

[bingobus]

Vornonin was not as bad as people made out, something like 5 goals in 22 games with plenty as a sub?


Never going to be first-choice standard, but worth the odd squad outing.

Bingo i;m surprised your making smart comments about NGog, he showed plenty of promise last year.

Elisha Scott is a friend of SG osn;t he, I think it is game over for Xabi.

That wasn't a smart comment about him, the wink was more a reminder to those who choose to forget him or slag him off.

ES is a friend of Stevie G and hadn't posted for a long time on YNWA. Outside chance he'll stay but said it was probable he'd go.

[bingobus]

Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani is apparently the man lined up by Rafa as Alonso's replacement - An italian interntaional with similar style. Will cost about stg£16m, by no means small money but can't say I know him.

Thats according to todays soccer rumours! Could be someone else tomorrow mind!

[gawa316]

Tonights game
http://www.iraqgoals.net/ch4.html

Scratch that this is even better

mms://live2.wm.liverpoolfc.servecast.net/liverpoolfc_wmlz_xx_secure_enhanced450k

[WhoAreYaWhoAreYa!]

Tonights game
http://www.iraqgoals.net/ch4.html

wats this??