Xabi signs new contract

[Big E]

Breaking news on SSN.

 

Hopefully that puts this one to bed.

 

Some quotes "I know there were clubs interested but I didn't want to keave......thanks to Parry and Rafa"

Edited June 8, 2007 by Big E

[psl]

Woo hoo!

[Magic8Ball]

Breaking news on SSN.

 

Hopefully that puts this one to bed too.

who else from the spine is missing ? Finnan, Agger ???

[Mike]

bascombe is having a stinker so far

[Cunny]

bascombe is having a stinker so far

 

 

Xabi is quoted on SSN as saying he knew other clubs were interested.

Bascombe never said he was definitely off did he?

[fred milne]

Xabi signs Reds deal

 

By Graeme Bailey - Created on 8 Jun 2007

 

Spanish star Xabi Alonso has become the latest Liverpool player to pen a new long-term contract.

 

The midfield schemer has followed fellow countryman Jose Reina, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher in signing a new deal.

 

Alonso had been linked with a move back to Spain, with Barcelona looking closely at a possible swoop - but he has now pledged his future to Rafa Benitez.

 

"I knew there was interest from other clubs but it was always my idea to stay here," said Alonso.

 

"I have been here for three seasons now and have such special feelings for the club and the supporters. I understand what Liverpool FC means to so many people. It is such a special club and I just didn't want to leave.

 

"We agreed that the talks would take place after the Champions League final and, to be honest, in the end it was a simple decision for me because I could see right away that the attitude of the club towards me was spot on.

 

"I greatly appreciate all the hard work that Rick Parry has put in on this contract and the faith that Rafa Benitez has shown in me. We all wanted to reach an agreement and we're all happy with the outcome.

 

"I want to be part of what lies ahead because I know it is going to be exciting. I've signed for another five years and there's no reason why we can't be successful.

 

"It's also good news to see that other players have signed new contracts this week. Stevie, Carra and Pepe are all big players for us and it's great they have all shown their commitment. I'm sure the manager will be bringing in new players as well and that the new owners will be making a big effort to improve the squad."

 

http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=4...signs+Reds+deal

 

[beejay]

bascombe is having a stinker so far

 

Eh? His article yesterday was Kop Trio sign up while most were going into overdrive about which one of Momo & Xabi was leaving

[Walrus]

Offal:

 

ALONSO SIGNS FOR FIVE MORE YEARS

Paul Eaton 08 June 2007

Xabi Alonso has become the fourth Liverpool player this week to sign a new contract at Anfield after penning a deal which will keep him at the club until 2012.

With Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Pepe Reina already signed up on long term deals, Alonso's decision to resist offers from abroad is another major boost for manager Rafael Benitez as he plans for the future.

 

"I knew there was interest from other clubs but it was always my idea to stay here," said Alonso. "I have been here for three seasons now and have such special feelings for the club and the supporters. I understand what Liverpool FC means to so many people. It is such a special club and I just didn't want to leave.

 

"We agreed that the talks would take place after the Champions League final and, to be honest, in the end it was a simple decision for me because I could see right away that the attitude of the club towards me was spot on. I greatly appreciate all the hard work that Rick Parry has put in on this contract and the faith that Rafa Benitez has shown in me. We all wanted to reach an agreement and we're all happy with the outcome.

 

"I want to be part of what lies ahead because I know it is going to be exciting. I've signed for another five years and there's no reason why we can't be successful.

 

"It's also good news to see that other players have signed new contracts this week. Stevie, Carra and Pepe are all big players for us and it's great they have all shown their commitment. I'm sure the manager will be bringing in new players as well and that the new owners will be making a big effort to improve the squad."

 

After representing his country in Euro 2008 qualifiers over the past week Alonso is now looking forward to a well earned summer break - but he admits he's already dreaming about what next season may hold for the club.

 

"I'm really excited because I think we can achieve big things," he added. "Hopefully we won't make the same mistakes next season as we did last season and we can win some more games. We want to be challenging for the top teams.

 

"Even though I'm looking forward to a holiday and a rest I can't wait for next season to begin."

 

The Spanish midfielder is also relishing the prospect of fighting for his place following Javier Mascherano's successful start to his Liverpool career in the centre of the field.

 

"It's great to have competition and I am ready to fight for my place," he said. "The more top quality players we have then the better the level of the team will be. I'm confident I can play a lot of minutes on the pitch and keep the confidence of the manager."

[_00_deathscar]

who else from the spine is missing ? Finnan, Agger ???

 

I thought we got Agger done up in March?

 

Leaves Finnan and *cough*Riise*cough*.

[RP]

Excellent news - not as spectacular (SIGN BIG NAMEZ) a start to the summer as those c***s down the road, but tying up such important players as Gerrard, Carragher, Reina and Alonso is a clear statement of intent from the Club and also from the players. These four players would have attracted interest from a host of Europe's top clubs, they could play anywhere they wanted to but they have seen what is going at at our Club and have quickly committed their future to being a part of it.

 

It's massively encouraging.

[Mike]

Xabi is quoted on SSN as saying he knew other clubs were interested.

Bascombe never said he was definitely off did he?

he's been s*** stirring for about two weeks about the very real possibility of him leaving along with rafa having no money

[fred milne]

This news has made my day.

[Eiler99]

I thought we got Agger done up in March?

 

Leaves Finnan and *cough*Riise*cough*.

 

I saw Riise on Norwegian tv yesterday saying that he expects to start contract talks when he returns from international duty or holiday or something. Atleast I think that's what he said.

Edited June 8, 2007 by Eiler99

[fred milne]

Excellent news - not as spectacular (SIGN BIG NAMEZ) a start to the summer as those c***s down the road, but tying up such important players as Gerrard, Carragher, Reina and Alonso is a clear statement of intent from the Club and also from the players. These four players would have attracted interest from a host of Europe's top clubs, they could play anywhere they wanted to but they have seen what is going at at our Club and have quickly committed their future to being a part of it.

 

It's massively encouraging.

Well put.

[beejay]

We've got the best midfield in the world

[allez les rouges]

It's massively encouraging.

f***ing to right

[Walrus]

I saw Riise on Norwegian tv yesterday saying that he expects to start contract talks when he returns from international duty or holiday or something. Atleast I think that's what he said.

[Leo No.8]

This news has made my day.

 

Same here.

 

I've had a gut feeling for ages he'd go this summer, maybe in some of the comments he made towards the end of the season. The funny thing is I think Xabi started to fear he may not be wanted here or that we may be willing to cash in on him. It's like when he realised how important he was to us it was decision made:

 

"We agreed that the talks would take place after the Champions League final and, to be honest, in the end it was a simple decision for me because I could see right away that the attitude of the club towards me was spot on."

 

If we also sign Momo up to a contract, I'd say expect to see quite a bit of the 4-2-3-1 next season because it's what Rafa is looking at basing the side around with the depth and quality of our central midfielders. Xabi and Mascherano will be largely fixtures as the two in front of the back four and Gerrard playing either central or on the right of the 3 and a pool of players hopefully including a couple who come in competing for the other spots..

 

One in the eye for Barca and Madrid this as well. Xabi is a very rare breed of player, it's not easy to find players who can dictate the game at the highest level with their passing range and intelligence the way he does. I bet they thought they could nab him this summer.

 

[Alonso]

Quiet simply

 

[windy city red]

I'd say expect to see quite a bit of the 4-2-3-1 next season because it's what Rafa is

 

Interesting point of view. So assuming that we have no takers for Bellamy, Rafa might actually settle for 3 strikers to rotate on that one position?

[Puskas]

Excellent news. We have to keep our best players if we're going to compete. The strength in depth of the central midfield is going to be amazing next season.

 

The version I read mentions Finnan and Sissoko as next in line for new contracts...

[Big E]

Quiet simply

 

 

I bet!

 

You're getting the beers in then?

Edited June 8, 2007 by Big E

[Gilps]

Great news this.

[McBain]

Agger, Finnan and Sissoko to come i guess. Wonder if Garcia will get one. He signed at the same time as Xabi and can only have a maximum of 2 years left

[Magic8Ball]

Same here.

 

I've had a gut feeling for ages he'd go this summer, maybe in some of the comments he made towards the end of the season. The funny thing is I think Xabi started to fear he may not be wanted here or that we may be willing to cash in on him. It's like when he realised how important he was to us it was decision made:

 

"We agreed that the talks would take place after the Champions League final and, to be honest, in the end it was a simple decision for me because I could see right away that the attitude of the club towards me was spot on."

 

If we also sign Momo up to a contract, I'd say expect to see quite a bit of the 4-2-3-1 next season because it's what Rafa is looking at basing the side around with the depth and quality of our central midfielders. Xabi and Mascherano will be largely fixtures as the two in front of the back four and Gerrard playing either central or on the right of the 3 and a pool of players hopefully including a couple who come in competing for the other spots..

 

One in the eye for Barca and Madrid this as well. Xabi is a very rare breed of player, it's not easy to find players who can dictate the game at the highest level with their passing range and intelligence the way he does. I bet they thought they could nab him this summer.

 

I think before we can say its 4231 as a preference we need to see what happens regarding the Wingers, that's where we are really weak.

Also of interest for the above formation, who's the striker going to be ?