Contemplating life without Alonso

By Matt Ladson On · 24 Comments · In Opinion

Let me begin by saying I 100% do not wish for Xabi Alonso to leave the club. Not only was he arguably our best and most consistent performer last season, he has been at the club 5 years and has a strong bond with the fans – something of a rare thing in this era.

Last summer I said how I would be happy to sign Gareth Barry, but only to add competition and options to the squad, not to directly replace Alonso. I wish Rafa had seen it that way too and maybe now things would be a little different. Perhaps though the key then was finances.

Maybe Rafa’s treatment of the player hasn’t been great admittedly and for that reason I can see why Xabi may wish to pursue his career back in Spain, having recently married and with the opportunity to play for one of the few other clubs in World football who are as big as Liverpool. So if our midfield maestro does leave, he’ll have my best wishes, and thanks for the memories.

So if indeed Xabi does leave, we must look forward and seek a way forward. There’s three obvious options; simply replacing him in the side with Lucas; dropping Gerrard back alongside Mascherano; or signing a direct replacement.

I sincerely hope it is the third option Rafa pursues if so.

Thankfully, I cannot see Rafa breaking up the Torres-Gerrard combo. He did that with the signing of Keane last summer and seems to have learnt from that mistake. Even this week he explained how Voronin has been told Gerrard and Torres are the main strikers at this club. Quite simply, I do not see Gerrard as a midfielder any more anyway.

As for Lucas, while I may not be a ‘fan’ I’m not exactly a ‘hater’ either but he certainly isn’t ready to step into Xabi’s shoes right now.

Which leaves the new signing option, not easy to find someone of the same calibre of Alonso – hence Real’s pursuit of the player. I personally would like to see a player with Premier League experience, but not pay massive amounts, instead leaving the big money to be spent on an attacking midfield to fill the left side of attack.

Two names which have been mentioned of late both have domestic experience and could fit the bill nicely. Mathieu Flamini, the former Arsenal midfielder, has hardly been used by AC Milan and could arrive for a reasonable fee, while Ashley Young, the Aston Villa winger, would add pace and directness down the left hand side.

With Villa having just signed Stewart Downing, are they preparing for Young’s departure? Of course, such a purchase would also help the Champions League quota.

I think most would agree, an attacking four of Torres, Young, Gerrard and Kuyt has pretty much every attribute any side could wish for: hard work, energy, power, pace, skill, goals and assists.

Of course, in an ideal world, Young will arrive and Alonso will remain, giving us one hell of a first choice eleven.

Rafa may have hinted his summer spending is over but I have a feeling there will be one more major signing to fill that attacking left midfield spot. Meanwhile, only time will tell where Alonso’s future lies; I for one cannot see him handing in a transfer request as he knows how important his relationship with the fans is, especially after last summer and the support we’ve shown him since. Hopefully Real won’t raise their bid…

  • About the author

    Matt Ladson

    Matt is the co-editor of This Is Anfield. He grew up on a diet of Roy Evans football and yearns for the glory days to return to Anfield. Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattladson.

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  • Sam Wanjere

    Matt, I also remain skeptical of Alonso’s departure, seeing that neither the player nor his agent have spoken publicly much. I not only use my gut feeling, coupled with personal wishes, but also just seeing how quiet the supposed departure stories of Babel, The Doss, Arbeloa and Masche seem to have gone.

    We still have till Sunday to prove this theory right or wrong. What the Reds need is depth, not less players. In that regard, I still see use for the likes of Voronin, players who can not only give us present-day options but also impart experience to those coming up like N’gog. Carra and Benayoun, lovely to observe, are already at it.

    Somewhat ironically, despite what we all hear (from the media, no doubt) about RB’s treatment of a legend at the club, Real Madrid wouldn’t care half as much for class like Alonso! He’d be far worse off than staying at Anfield. Just a concern of mine.

    All this notwithstanding, I still see a boon from XA’s departure. If the Beeb’s rumored renewed figure (unfortunately, unsubstantiated) of £ 32m is true, it could actually buy us a couple of players – possibly with another classy one like Silva thrown in. That money and subsequent related purchases might just be the sought-after final blocks to #19.

  • Sam Wanjere

    Matt, I also remain skeptical of Alonso’s departure, seeing that neither the player nor his agent have spoken publicly much. I not only use my gut feeling, coupled with personal wishes, but also just seeing how quiet the supposed departure stories of Babel, The Doss, Arbeloa and Masche seem to have gone.

    We still have till Sunday to prove this theory right or wrong. What the Reds need is depth, not less players. In that regard, I still see use for the likes of Voronin, players who can not only give us present-day options but also impart experience to those coming up like N’gog. Carra and Benayoun, lovely to observe, are already at it.

    Somewhat ironically, despite what we all hear (from the media, no doubt) about RB’s treatment of a legend at the club, Real Madrid wouldn’t care half as much for class like Alonso! He’d be far worse off than staying at Anfield. Just a concern of mine.

    All this notwithstanding, I still see a boon from XA’s departure. If the Beeb’s rumored renewed figure (unfortunately, unsubstantiated) of £ 32m is true, it could actually buy us a couple of players – possibly with another classy one like Silva thrown in. That money and subsequent related purchases might just be the sought-after final blocks to #19.

  • sam-wise

    I agree MAtt, I wouldn’t want Xabi to leave after all the great memories, but if he does, I would go out on a limb to purchase Ribery and move Yossi to the middle. This is the position he was born for. He is strong, committed, has the vision and one more than Xabi, can score from open play regularly. Any comments?

  • sam-wise

    I agree MAtt, I wouldn’t want Xabi to leave after all the great memories, but if he does, I would go out on a limb to purchase Ribery and move Yossi to the middle. This is the position he was born for. He is strong, committed, has the vision and one more than Xabi, can score from open play regularly. Any comments?

  • lberkeley

    If Alonso does want to leave surely £32 million is a great price and if we can then get schneider as part of the deal and then buy either young or silva we have more than made up for Alonso’s seemingly imminent departure

  • lberkeley

    If Alonso does want to leave surely £32 million is a great price and if we can then get schneider as part of the deal and then buy either young or silva we have more than made up for Alonso’s seemingly imminent departure

  • DirkKuytIsAGoldenRetriever

    Losing Xabi is certainly not an ideal situation to be in, but the notion that we could make up for the loss by addressing the situation at left flank is a little concerning. Does anyone else wonder how tiny David Silva might hold up in the Premiership (most of the Spaniards who’ve been successful in the EPL have been a bit more physically imposing)? Is the void left in the center of the midfield by Xabi’s departure now larger than the issues on the flank?

  • DirkKuytIsAGoldenRetriever

    Losing Xabi is certainly not an ideal situation to be in, but the notion that we could make up for the loss by addressing the situation at left flank is a little concerning. Does anyone else wonder how tiny David Silva might hold up in the Premiership (most of the Spaniards who’ve been successful in the EPL have been a bit more physically imposing)? Is the void left in the center of the midfield by Xabi’s departure now larger than the issues on the flank?

  • Karl Heinz Schneider

    Xabi wants to go, and if with his departure we can get W. Sneijder and enough money for David Silva, then it will be the best thing for everyone.

  • Karl Heinz Schneider

    Xabi wants to go, and if with his departure we can get W. Sneijder and enough money for David Silva, then it will be the best thing for everyone.

  • Ian Gaskell

    A few thoughts – I think Rafa’s treatment of Xabi last summer set all of this in motion and basically Real Madrid do tend to get their man if they set their heart on him. Lots of denials from Man utd, AC Milan and Lyon prior to to the arrivals of Ronaldo, Kaka and Benzema……so I think Xabi will go after this weekend when his 20 per cent(I think) sell-on clause with Real Sociedad expires. I think we need a direct replacement and the very man may already be at the Bernabeu. Real already have the 2 Diarras and Gago as defensive midfielders and the latter would be ideal for us to combine with Javier as he does for Argentina. I reckon he would fit the Premiership better than La Liga. I think the shouts re Young are pie in the sky. If Johnson cost £17m then Young will probably be valued at close to £30m and thus not worth it. Silva plus Gago for me if Xabi has to go. Silva would add so much with Riera and Babel as back-up. Also, anyone else think we may have bought a £17m left back after St.Gallen……….you know how Rafa is!!!!

  • Ian Gaskell

    A few thoughts – I think Rafa’s treatment of Xabi last summer set all of this in motion and basically Real Madrid do tend to get their man if they set their heart on him. Lots of denials from Man utd, AC Milan and Lyon prior to to the arrivals of Ronaldo, Kaka and Benzema……so I think Xabi will go after this weekend when his 20 per cent(I think) sell-on clause with Real Sociedad expires. I think we need a direct replacement and the very man may already be at the Bernabeu. Real already have the 2 Diarras and Gago as defensive midfielders and the latter would be ideal for us to combine with Javier as he does for Argentina. I reckon he would fit the Premiership better than La Liga. I think the shouts re Young are pie in the sky. If Johnson cost £17m then Young will probably be valued at close to £30m and thus not worth it. Silva plus Gago for me if Xabi has to go. Silva would add so much with Riera and Babel as back-up. Also, anyone else think we may have bought a £17m left back after St.Gallen……….you know how Rafa is!!!!

  • kirkusmarikonus

    I definitely agree with almost everything on this sheet, with the exception of the fact that David Silva is a more likely candidate to fill in the left winger role than Young.
    But if either happen I won’t complain!

  • kirkusmarikonus

    I definitely agree with almost everything on this sheet, with the exception of the fact that David Silva is a more likely candidate to fill in the left winger role than Young.
    But if either happen I won’t complain!

  • Kop Tid

    Personally I think the continuing rumours about Xabi and Xavier are a nightmare. It’s unlikely they would both go (we’d lose our entire defensive midfield – one of the main reasons we were so hard to beat last season) but even one of them would leave a void very difficult to fill. Xabi had a fantastic season last time, and he does something that few in the modern Premiership seem capable of – he can slow the game down, look up, and find the perfect pass, just like Souness used to do. He’s a possession player, and does the simple things very effectively. Who on earth would we replace him with? Sadly, yet another example of Rafa’s apparent failings in man management, a legacy from this time last year.

    I only hope Xavi puts the fans’ affection for him above the lure of being a galactíco. No hablo Espanol, pero nosotros le adoramos, Xavi – por favor no lo deje.

  • Kop Tid

    Personally I think the continuing rumours about Xabi and Xavier are a nightmare. It’s unlikely they would both go (we’d lose our entire defensive midfield – one of the main reasons we were so hard to beat last season) but even one of them would leave a void very difficult to fill. Xabi had a fantastic season last time, and he does something that few in the modern Premiership seem capable of – he can slow the game down, look up, and find the perfect pass, just like Souness used to do. He’s a possession player, and does the simple things very effectively. Who on earth would we replace him with? Sadly, yet another example of Rafa’s apparent failings in man management, a legacy from this time last year.

    I only hope Xavi puts the fans’ affection for him above the lure of being a galactíco. No hablo Espanol, pero nosotros le adoramos, Xavi – por favor no lo deje.

  • Scouser101

    I agree, we don’t want to loose Alonso. However, if he does decide to leave and our summer spending is really over, another alternative to replace him is to put Fábio Aurélio into his Alonso’s position, like when he played there against Portsmouth where he gave an impressive performance and scored. This means we can have Insua at left-back and I know it probably won’t happen, but what Insua needs is more playing time and he has the potential to be the best left-back in the premier league.

  • Scouser101

    I agree, we don’t want to loose Alonso. However, if he does decide to leave and our summer spending is really over, another alternative to replace him is to put Fábio Aurélio into his Alonso’s position, like when he played there against Portsmouth where he gave an impressive performance and scored. This means we can have Insua at left-back and I know it probably won’t happen, but what Insua needs is more playing time and he has the potential to be the best left-back in the premier league.

  • Shaunymo

    I agree. The Reds fans would be absolutely heart broken if Alonso were to leave. However, if he were to leave, there are several options to fit his role and I’m not saying they would do any better or any worse. Moving Benayoun into the slot would be very effective as his vision for the pass and goal, plus his creativity would be an asset. Lucas, yet a raw prospect and very inconsistent in his performance is another option, but not a secure one if challenging for the Prem Title. Joe Cole is an amazing thought. Young is also a fantastic thought, but very pricy! Juan Mata would be a perfect fit on the Left, moving Yossi into the “Alonso” slot. I’m not sure about Aquilani, however knowing he is a highly rated youngster out of Italy, he may be the choice as he’s in the news often. I think that Rafa should take a gamble on Elano. He’s got Premiership experience and he had a fantastic Confederation’s Cup performance. For all those who think Silva is the answer, I truly feels that he doesn’t justify the price tag! Might as well spend the money on a Prem proven Englishman (Cole or Young). Remember, Silva is light weight and doesn’t have the guile as Mata has. Mata is the answer, but I’m not Rafa! Good Luck Reds, we deserve this title! YNWA

  • Shaunymo

    I agree. The Reds fans would be absolutely heart broken if Alonso were to leave. However, if he were to leave, there are several options to fit his role and I’m not saying they would do any better or any worse. Moving Benayoun into the slot would be very effective as his vision for the pass and goal, plus his creativity would be an asset. Lucas, yet a raw prospect and very inconsistent in his performance is another option, but not a secure one if challenging for the Prem Title. Joe Cole is an amazing thought. Young is also a fantastic thought, but very pricy! Juan Mata would be a perfect fit on the Left, moving Yossi into the “Alonso” slot. I’m not sure about Aquilani, however knowing he is a highly rated youngster out of Italy, he may be the choice as he’s in the news often. I think that Rafa should take a gamble on Elano. He’s got Premiership experience and he had a fantastic Confederation’s Cup performance. For all those who think Silva is the answer, I truly feels that he doesn’t justify the price tag! Might as well spend the money on a Prem proven Englishman (Cole or Young). Remember, Silva is light weight and doesn’t have the guile as Mata has. Mata is the answer, but I’m not Rafa! Good Luck Reds, we deserve this title! YNWA

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