It was only a matter of time really, wasn’t it?

Today’s news brings to an end Alonso’s 5 year stay on Merseyside. The Spanish midfielder joined Liverpool from Real Sociedad back in 2004 and has since gone on to make nearly 200 appearances.

It’s fair to say that Alonso will be sadly missed by the large majority of Liverpool fans, but hey, at least Rafa Benitez now has £30 million at his disposal to spend on a replacement.

So, who do you think will be the man to fill the void which Alonso has undoubtedly left? Please leave your comments below.

The Spanish international has been continuously linked with a move to the Bernabeu all summer long, however Real have, as of know, failed to meet Liverpool’s asking price of £30 million.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has always maintained his desire to keep Alonso, 27, at Anfield, however it now appears unlikely that Alonso will still be wearing red next season after he handed a transfer request earlier this week.

It has been claimed today that Real will offer Liverpool cash plus Rafael van der Vaart in a bid to push through a deal. I personally think that if Liverpool managed to get £19 million plus Van der Vaart in exchange for Alonso they would be doing extremley well.

Even the most ardent Liverpool will admit that it’s only a matter of time before Alonso is on his way out of the club so it’s crucial that they get the best deal they can. I have always been a huge admirer of Van der Vaart’s and I would just love to see how he would cope with the pace of the Premier League. It will be fascinating to see how this one pans out over the coming weeks, so stay tuned to Football Corner for all the latest.

What do you think? Comments below please.

For me it is all set up for Liverpool to claim their first ever Premier League crown.

Manchester United haven’t got a chance next season without Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez at Old Trafford.

Chelsea are getting a bit old and they have failed to add real quality to their squad so far this summer.

Arsenal … well they’re selling too many of their key players to Manchester City, who I fancy to go quite well next season.

I think it would be a massive blow for Rafa Benitez to lose Alonso to Real Madrid, however Liverpool appear to be holding firm in their battle to keep him on Merseyside. There is no doubt that Alonso is one of the best midfield players in Europe and I feel it is crucial that Liverpool keep him if they want to win the league.

They have only really added Glen Johnson to the books this summer, but I think that signing alone will help them no end. He is a cracking player who I feel will prove to be an oustanding signing as the season unfolds. So what do you think? Do you agree or disagree with the article? Comments below please.

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Alonso has been continuosly linked with a move to the Bernabeu in recent weeks, with some papers claiming that it’s only a matter of time before a deal is struck between the two clubs.

When asked about Alonso’s future at Anfield, Torres had this to say :

“It would be a bad piece of work if Xabi left. He plays his cards close to his chest so I don’t know what is going to happen. It would be a serious loss for Liverpool if he left this summer.”

I, along with most of the Liverpool fans around the world would tend to agree with Torres. Losing Alonso would no doubt dent Liverpool’s chances of winning the Premier League title this season. If they do somehow manage to keep Alonso on Merseyside, I firmly believe that Liverpool will finally win the league for the first time in 20 years. It will be interesting to see how this one develops over the coming days, so stay tuned to Football Corner for all the latest.

What do you think? Comments below please.

Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has been strongly linked with a move to Real Madrid in recent days and weeks. Rafa Benitez has told the Spanish international that he is loved at Anfield and that he should stay, however his future still remains unclear.

The majority of Liverpool fans are desperate to keep Alonso on Merseyside but the player himself has admitted that a move to the Bernabeu may interest him. So, Football Corner would like you to sum up Alonso in  just three words. Tell me your three words by leaving a comment below.

My three words : going to Madrid.

Several names have been linked with moves to Anfield in recent and here, we have a look at a few of them.

David Silva

The Valencia winger has been linked with a move to Liverpool for years now. I don’t remember a transfer window in recent times where Silva hasn’t been linked with the Merseyside club. The 23-year old is regarded by many as one of the best left-sided midfield players in Europe and it is thought that Benitez would have to cough up at least £28 million if he wants to secure Silva’s signature.

The Spanish international is now a 6/4 shot to join Liverpool before the transfer window shuts on August 31st and in my opinion, that’s a very decent price.

Likelihood of this deal : 8/10

Wesley Sneijder

It would make sense for Liverpool to demand Sneijder as part of any deal which sees Alonso move to the Bernabeu. With the World Cup fast approaching, Sneijder knows he needs to be playing regular first team football this season if he is to be a permanent fixture in the Dutch starting line-up in South Africa and lets face it, he is unlikely to feature regularly over the course of the La Liga season.

The 25-year old can play as a central midfield player or as a winger and in my view, he would be a quality addition to the Liverpool squad. It will be interesting to see how this one pans out over the coming days and weeks.

Likelihood of this deal : 6/10

Alberto Aquilani

The Roma midfielder is seen by many as a ready-made replacement for Alonso. Despite the fact Aquilani’s agent has stated recently that the player would not be moving to Liverpool, the move still looks a real possibility. Roma boss Luciano Spalletti has today had this to say about a possible move : “We need to be open and listen to any type of offers that are proposed to us.”

The Italian international was strongly linked with a move to Liverpool’s Premier League rivals Arsenal last summer but for whatever reasons, nothing ever materialised. Personally, I would love to see Aquilani arrive at Anfield. I think he is a smashing player, who would no doubt prove great value for money at the rumoured £22 million.

Likelihood of this deal : 9/10

Share your thoughts on the above players by leaving a comment below.

Bookmakers SkyBet have today made Alonso 4/9 not to be a Liverpool player next season, with Spanish giants Real Madrid looking the most likely destination.

Alonso has apparently told Rafa Benitez that he wants to leave Anfield as soon as possible, however Liverpool will only sell if their £35 million valuation of the player is met.

Although I am not a Liverpool fan, I would be devastated to see Alonso leave the Premier League. He is a cracking player who will, no doubt be sorely missed on Merseyside and personally I think Liverpool will struggle to sustain a title challenge next season without him.

What do you think? Comments below please.

Alonso, 27, has been linked with a move to the Bernabeu for several weeks now after it was claimed the player would be interested in a move back to his homeland.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has insisted in recent weeks that Alonso is going nowhere, however it is thought that should a bid of £35 million be made for Alonso, that could well bring to an end Alonso’s time on Merseyside.

Speaking about the possibilty of signing Alonso, Jorge Valdano had this to say : “Xabi Alonso is a priority if he fits into our budget, and this doesn’t seem the case. We are very far from the figures that Liverpool have set out.”

I’m delighted to see that Liverpool are holding firm. It’s about time someone stood up to Real Madrid and said no, you can’t have our player because at the moment is seems as though they are getting anyway they bid for. If you take into account some of the silly transfer fees this summer, I feel Alonso is worth even more than £35 million.

What do you think? Comments below please.