Alonso confirms, ‘œI have no plans to leave’

Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso says he wishes to stay at Liverpool, despite speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid this summer.

The Spanish international says that although anything can change at any point, ‘œI am happy at Liverpool but in football you cannot close the doors on anything because you don’t know what will happen. I do not plan to go,’ Alonso told Spanish journal El Pais.

‘œThere was strong interest in me from Madrid but Liverpool came and that is where I went. It was not a wrong decision, not for me anyway. I have played at Liverpool, a special club, and grown as a player and won titles.’

Alonso continued to play down reports that his relationship with Reds boss Rafa Benitez is a difficult one after it appeared last summer Benitez was ready to let Alonso go to raise the cash to sign then Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry.

Alonso added, ‘œWe have a good professional relationship. We speak normally, saying what he wants from me and what I can give. He makes the decisions and we try to execute them.

‘œLast summer there was certain indecision and I did not know what was going to happen. I finished up playing well, though. I have had two quite complete seasons.’