Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has vowed to keep Xabi Alonso at Anfield after admitting he came close to selling the midfielder last summer. Benitez was considering selling Alonso to Juventus in a bid to raise funds to finance his own move for Aston Villa and England midfielder Gareth Barry. The Spain international ultimately remained with the Reds and has gone on to enjoy a successful season. His form in recent months has led to suggestions that the 27-year-old midfielder is wanted by several leading Spanish and Italian clubs. But Benitez claims the former Real Sociedad star is now definitely part of his long-term plans on Merseyside. "We had an offer from Juventus and asked a big price as he is a big player. They couldn't meet it," he said.
The 27-year-old has enjoyed a fine season after speculation about his future following Spain's Euro 2008 triumph. Benitez said: "The first year was really good and this year he is also playing really well.
"Xabi has been having a very good season; he has been playing well in a lot of games and is a key player for us.
"We have a lot of confidence in him because he is playing really well and he is a player we want to keep because he has the quality, and the game, that we need."
I'm sure this news will make every Liverpool supporter happy, especially brother Ewens because Xabi is his brother and is a world class pass-master. ^^v
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